Feel 10 Times Better

6 January 2009

We want to recruit 20 people from across the University - staff and students, men and women of all ages, makes and sizes to take part in this healthy lifestyle programme. Why? Because we know that helping you to make better choices about what you eat and drink, how much exercise you do, how you spend your lunch break and deal with stress will help you feel 10 times better.

The Feel 10 Times Better Programme

Diet and Nutrition

You will be invited to attend an hour DIET MOT workshop delivered by Sue Baic, a qualified dietitian and nutritionist based in the Department of Exercise and Health Sciences. Sue's presentation will look at what you eat, when you eat it and why and you will have opportunities to ask questions about your own eating habits. You'll also be asked to take part in the "5 a Day Challenge". With support and advice from Karen Harvey, the University's Healthy Lifestyle Manager, you will introduce enough fruit and vegetables into your diet to achieve the recommended 5 portions a day. Weekly emails with recipes and food tips will help you put theory into practice.

Activity

Physical activity is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and one that offers significant physical and mental health benefits. Adults are advised to be active for at least 30 minutes 5 times a week at a moderate intensity - i.e. you feel warm, your heart rate has risen but you're still comfortable and could hold a conversation, just.

To get you moving you will receive a Sports Pass giving you full use of the Pulse Gym and Swimming Pool for the 100 days. Over the course of the programme you will have 3 ½ hours 1 to 1 time with personal trainer to set goals, devise your personal training programme and stay motivated. We'll also give you vouchers for our exercise classes so you can try a wide range of classes that include Aerobics, Body Pump and Circuits. These classes are a great way of getting a good 40 minute burst of activity scheduled into your day. With our Spring Pedometer Challenge starting in March we'll also give you a pedometer and help you to reach 10,000 steps a day. Walking is one of the most effective ways of being active and by the end of the four week challenge you should have a spring in your step!

Lifestyle

If you smoke and want to give up then you'll be supported by an NHS trained Support to Stop Smoking Advisors who, over a course of 6 weeks will help you kick the habit.

Maybe you'd like to learn or relearn a sport? If so you will be offered a place on Just Sport. This term's programme includes badminton, squash, trampolining and table tennis. with swimming and tennis courses at the Pool and Coombe Dingle.

How about developing some new skills and getting involved in a community project? Volunteering is a very rewarding experience and one that guarantees the feel good factor. You might like to do a Level 1 coaching qualification or become a Community Sport Leader. Learning new skills and meeting new people boosts mental health and organising activities for groups of young people will certainly keep you moving!

In short, "Feel 10 Times Better" is a lifestyle programme that will be tailored to your interests and needs.The programmes, classes, support and advice given by our experienced health and fitness team make up the services already available to you from Sport, Exercise and Health. So there's no need to buy a load of expensive equipment, gear or "detox" foods. In fact there's neither cabbage soup nor goji berries in sight!

Feel 10 Times Better begins on Monday 9th February and finishes on Wednesday 20th May 2009. Places are limited and the deadline for applications is January 21st so fill in the application form, fast!

For more information contact Karen Harvey on 0117 33 11166