Page 11 - link magazine

The Link Magazine ' April 1994 11
Ever thought about Attack on heart disease

a personal trainer?
Prescription for Activity project sets out to reduce deaths
It's not only be the rich and famous
who have a personal trainer. Such is
the demand in Swindon that fitness An experimental project to promote better health through exercise is just getting underway with the aim of
instructor Lee Hogan is pleased to reducing levels of heart disease in the Swindon area.
announce that he is to be joined by With over a quarter of deaths in anxieties and depending on age,
top Newbury Instructor Sue Court. the town being caused by heart dis- weight, previous activity, disabili-
Working with men and women ease Thamesdown Council's Rec- ties and medical condition, I will
of all ages and abilities Lee has been reation Services and the Swindon give them an individual programme
able to improve the fitness of his Health PromotionUnit have teamed of activity based on the patient's in-
clients through exercise and health up with nine out of the 42 doctor's terests. This could include exercise
education for over four years. Di- practices across town to promote to music, gentle keep fit, Look After
etary advice is all part of the pack- the 'Prescription for Activity Yourself classes, swimming or bad-
age and Lee can provide evidence of Scheme.' minton.
many people who have lost weight The pilot scheme, funded by the "The aim is to introduce the per-
and are keeping it off through sensi- Health Commission for Wiltshire son at risk to regular structured ac-
ble eating and exercise. and Bath, is one of the largest and tivity to strengthen the heart, im-
Lee says, "Sue is a first class in- most ambitious of its kind in the prove blood circulation, help lower
structor with many years experi- country and is being observed blood pressure, control weight, re-
ence. As a motherof two school-age closely for its benefits in improved duce stress and make the patient feel
children she knows all about getting health. better about him or herself."
your figure back after pregnancy, The Link surgery in West Swin- She said the GPs who have joined Project Coordinator Allison Hanbury
but she will not be dealing exclu- don and the Homegmund surgery. the scheme are very enthusiastic
sively with post natal women. We in Hay don Wick are two of the nine about the extra support they will completing the programme.
both recognise that many people practices who will be referring pa- receive because they do not have Between early February and the
would benefit from a personalised tients to Allison Hanbury, the time to talk to patients atlengthabout end of July, Allison expects to see
exercise programme at a time and project's liaison officer. how to reduce the risks of serious 256 patients and introduce them to
place to suit them More people are Allison explained how the illness from heart disease. the activity scheme. In 1992, 585
becoming aware of the benefits of scheme will work. "GPs will assess Allison will be asking patients to people in the Swindon Health Dis-
regula r exercise, not only for weight patients according to various risk undertake two or three activity ses- trict died from heart disease and a
loss or stress management, but as factors causing coronary heart dis- sions a week over a 13 week period. further 236 died from strokes.
part of a healthy lifestyle. ease and suggest they make an ap- She will meet them at seven and Hopefully this number will be
"What excuses can there be when pointment with me for a confiden- thirteen weeks to monitor progress reduced dramatically by getting
the fitness trainer comes to you to tial discussion about their lifestyle and again twelve months later. Pa- people at risk to help themselves by
provide one-to-one expertise and and level of fitness. tients will also be asked to visit their changing their lifestyles through
motivation?" 'We'll talk about their fears or GP for a six month assessment after regular exercise.

TIME TO GET B A CK INTO SHAPEin

EXERCISE TO MUSIC RIMS, BUMS & ThIGhS
Wednesdays 8.00pm - 9.00pm
Greendown Sports Hall • Do you need to get fit?
Designed for those people who have not
• Do you need to lose weight?
exercised for some time and need a gentle
re-introduction. Suitable for men and women • Do you know that diet and exercise
of all ages and abilities. should go together
So don't just sit there! Join us for:
THE TOTAL BODY WORKOUT
Total Body Conditioning: Warm Up Aerobics, BY DESIGN LTD Light exercise & up to date dietary advice
Stretch, Floorwork, Cool Down. Bring the children and we'll look after them
Tuesdays 7.30pm - 8.30pm Greendown What's your excuse?
Sports Hall Friday 1030am - 11.30am

Fridays 6.30pm-7.30pm Greendown Gym Freshbrook Community Centre
Sundays 7.30pm-8.30pm Greendown Gym - Only £3.50 per session
ALL CLASSES STILL ONLY £2.50
NO MEMBERSHIP, JUST PAY ON THE DAY Penonal Training
FREE RAFFLE AT THE END OF EACH MONTH
Too busy?
Lack motivation?
Recovering from Injury? Post Natal? GET AT, STAY
Sundays 11am Too shy? Overweight?
EXERCISE TO MUSIC AT THE DEVERE Improve your health, get fit in the privacy
HOTEL, SHAW RIDGE of your own home. Lee or Sue will come • AT GET
Take a weekend break with some light exercise to work with you on a one-to-one basis to
and a good stretch. Limited spaces. £3 per help you achieve your weight loss or
class. Use of pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room fitness goals.
for £2.50. AT, STAY Al
Give them a call to find out more
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