hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn January 2019 | Page 22

Older residents urged to
stay HEALTHI ER and HAPPIER
Older residents across Buckinghamshire are being
encouraged to try out new physical activity sessions so they
can stay healthier, happier and independent for longer.
Active Bucks, commissioned by the
Buckinghamshire County Council’s Public Health
team, aims to help people stay healthy and keep
their minds sharp with regular exercise.
The current Active Bucks campaign, called
Ageing Well Together, is co-ordinated by Leap,
the sport and activity partnership for Bucks and
Milton Keynes.
Current guidelines recommend that people aged
65 and over should aim to be moderately active
for 150 minutes each week; that means an activity
which raises your heart rate and makes you
breathe faster and feel warmer.
Government recommendations also include two
sessions of activity each week which strengthen
the major muscles, like digging the garden, Pilates
or carrying heavy shopping bags.
Ian 67, a retired graphic designer from Steeple
Claydon, tried Nordic Walking last year and has
been hooked ever since.
“From the first session in the cold wind and
pouring rain, I loved it!,” he said. “I knew it was
doing me good. I feel fitter than I have done for
years, I have fewer aches and pains and I have
lost significant weight without any change to my
diet. I am racing up hills and inclines where before
I would be puffing and panting. It feels exhilarating
to get the heart rate up.”
According to Ian, it’s the social aspect which
makes it enjoyable with feeling fitter and healthier
an added bonus. However, with only two other
men in the group, Ian is keen to get more men
involved.
“It was the social thing more than anything; we
have grown together as a group of people. We
didn’t know each other before and now we all look
forward to the session. My wife Val will tell you that
I get really annoyed if I miss a session. So the big
message as far as I’m concerned is let’s get more
men doing it.”
If you want to take up Ian’s challenge and feel the
social and physical benefits of being more active,
you can sign up for an activity session today at
www.activebucks.co.uk
And those who take up the challenge will be
given the first activity session for free. People
can choose from hundreds of activities across
the county, including Nordic Walking, swimming,
dance, martial arts, badminton, seated exercise
and yoga.
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www.activebucks.co.uk
www.leapwithus.org.uk