Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
We received this really touching letter from one of our Health Trainer graduates. We hope it inspires you with your goals.
My name is Janet Eaton – aged 63, presently weighing 11 stone 4 pounds. My blood pressure and my cholesterol is 4.2. This is not how it was 6 months ago. Sadly, I had been overweight for the last 30 years, yoyo-ing between 12 to 13 stones.
My weight had not really bothered me all those years – all my family were rather large – after all, we grew up with a 50’s diet of fry-ups and lard sandwiches! Then, tragedy changed my life. 3 sisters and 1 brother all died, each having circulatory problems, then heart attacks. I tried to assure myself it wouldn’t happen to me as I didn’t drink or smoke; they had their entire adult lives. Deep down, I feared a heart attack. It was constantly in my head.
A visit to my GP was to change everything for me. On my first day at my Health Trainer appointment, I was shown the BMI chart and could see I was almost obese on the guidelines. I was given a plan with a really good Health Trainer who explained so much to me. Each visit I learned a new tip or fact (Even at the age of 63!)
I found it was the actual frying process which wasnt good. I thought it was healthy as I only used virgin olive oil. Previously, I drank 9-10 cups of tea. A suggestion of cutting down or trying a naturally de-caff tea was a great idea. I drink rooibos tea now, I love the taste, nutty and satisfying. Exercise was a walk to the shops for me. Regular exercise and how good it was for your body and mind was explained to me – now it is a big part of my lifestyle – I even dance to a favourite CD at home.
All this good advice on healthy food, healthy ways of cooking and exercise has paid dividends – inches off my waist and hips. Today, I am a happier, content 63 year old lady – no longer at home fearing a heart attack.
Thank you, I am so grateful for my Health Trainer, Qudsia Bibi!
Friday, January 7th, 2011
Wine may come from grapes - but its no fruit.
A recent report by the Birtish Liver Trust (www.britishlivertrust.org.uk) has shown more people are drinking in their own homes, as opposed to pubs and clubs, accounting for 43% of the market. As well as being bad news for your local barman this could also be bad news for your health.
The benefit of ‘going out for a quick one’ is the limitations it imposes. Last orders means there is a cap on the time you spend and the ever increasing drinks prices means you are often more careful about how much you drink (and spend). Although these dont add up to a great night out, they do help to control your drinking.
With the ready availability of cheap drinks in supermarkets people are drinking more and more in their own homes, unwittingly indulging in ‘binge sessions’. The NHS advises men should drink no more than 3-4 units a day, 2-3 for women. This is the equivalent of just 2 pints of lager or 2 small glasses of wine. How many of us are guilty of drinking that much watching Corrie with a nice dinner?
The truth is: even low-risk drinking (such as that detailed above) can be really damaging to your health. You dont have to be falling out of nightclubs and having your stomach pumped to be in the danger zone. ‘Liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure, increased risk of various cancers and heart attack are some of the numerous harmful effects of regularly drinking above recommended levels.’ (NHS Choices, 2010).
It’s not just our personal health at risk. Research by the British Liver Trust has also indicated that young people learn their drinking ethic at home. Drinking just one bottle of wine an evening can damage your health, and potentially line up a health problem for your children in the future.
But its not all doom and gloom. Our Health Trainer program provides you with one-to-one sessions to support you in building a personal plan to improve your drinking habits and improve your health. Best of all – IT’S FREE. Its just one of the ways Health Exchange is helping to improve Birminghams health.
Cick here for more information and to apply for our free Health Trainer Service
