Exercise
An active lifestyle reduces your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and some cancers and helps manage conditions such as osteoporosis, back pain and osteoarthritis.
Being more active also reduces the risk of depression and is positive for your mental health. But figures show only one in five people in Liverpool are getting enough exercise.
If you have not been active for a while it can be daunting to start exercising but there is plenty of advice and support available for people wanting to get fit. NHS Choices has lots of guidance on the health benefits of exercising as well as providing advice on how to start exercising safely again.There is a list of local services below as well as advice on where to go to get more information.
Facts
- Adults should be moderately active for a minimum of 30 minutes on five (or more) days of the week. This can be broken down into 3 x 10 or 2 x 15 minutes of activity
- Moderate describes any activity that makes you feel warmer and have a slightly raised heart rate - you should still be able to have a conversation
- Children (aged 5 - 18) should be moderately active for at least an hour every day
Further support and local services
If you are overweight or have a chronic illness, seek advice from your GP before starting a new diet or activity programme.
Change4Life
A national scheme providing practical advice on how to make healthy lifestyle changes. Click here for more information.
Liverpool Active City
A local programme which aims to remove many of the barriers that prevent people from exercising. Click here for more information.
Cycle for Health
Aims to get more people taking part in physical activity by encouraging them to cycle. Click here for more information.
Walk for Health
Aims to get more people taking part in physical activity by encouraging them to take part in one of the many and varied, supervised walks provided. Click here for more information
