Health and fitness seems to have been a large part of my life recently. First I completed the Ride London 46 mile bike ride with such a lot of energy left that I cycled the 22 miles home too! Last month we were being inspired by the Olympics. I loved hearing the tales of our current winning athletes who were inspired to take up a sport as children as a result of watching the Olympics. Who knows who is out there reading this who may be a future medallist!
But sport, keeping fit and raising the awareness of fitness is nothing new. We spent an inspiring hour recently with Diana Moran, the Green Goddess herself, who lives in Shepperton. In the 1980’s she was the fitness queen of BBC1 Breakfast Time, waking the nation up to exercise. (She got her nickname from her trademark all in one green leotard, in case you didn’t know).
Diana has been a lifelong advocate of exercise and living well. She writes a regular health page for The Lady magazine and presents a weekly programme “We’ve Got Mail” on The Wireless, a DAB station, every Monday evening from 6-7.
She is a champion for the older generation. Her Wireless programme deals with a range of issues eg. pensions, lifestyle and scams in an accessible way that the silver generation relate to. She is also passionate about mobilising the older population. She is currently co-authoring “Sod Sitting Get Moving” with Professor Sir Muir Gray, the eminent name in screening and healthcare who was knighted for his work.
The two met on the Radio 4 Today Programme where they got on like a house on fire and decided they should work together. Their message is aimed at normal people who would benefit from making some changes to lifestyle.
They have put together a series of exercises, some designed to be done from a seated position. In other words, exercise should have no boundaries. It will benefit young and old alike. Diana says “I am from the generation where we were all climbing trees and getting dirty out in the fresh air all day when we were children”. But life has changed. Computer games and a very protective society is having the effect of increasing obesity with all its health implications.
But the need for exercise is incontrovertible. Did you know that by increasing your physical activity levels, you can prevent and manage many conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, joint problems and obesity? Being active can also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, improve symptoms of depression, reduce stress and prevent or manage osteoporosis, falls and hypertension.
Spelthorne Council has backed fitness one of the priorities in the borough which was shown as one of the least fit in the country. It now runs the Get Active 50+ programme, aimed at improving the health of the older population across the Borough. Leading a healthier, more active lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym; it could be brisk walking, ballroom dancing or bowls.
So see what is on offer locally and you too can live a happier, healthier life.
Diana Moran’s new book is planned to be published by Bloomsbury in December/January.