Residents are being encouraged to get active and improve their lifestyles. Ushma Mistry reports on getting active in Ealing.

GETTING fit and staying fit is not as easy as it sounds but it can be with a personal guide to activities on your doorstep.

Recommended guidelines suggest adults should take part in some form of physical activity for 30 minutes at least five times each week and that young people take part in one hour per day.

Any form of physical activity helps you feel good, decreases the risk of depression and reduces stress and anxiety. It can also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes, helps to reduce high blood pressure and helps to control body weight.

Ealing Council is trying to get everyone on their feet and improve their lifestyle by helping them choose an activity suited to them through its new Get Active guide.

Praveen Bahl, head of sports, halls and events at Ealing Council, said: "This is the time of year when lots of people resolve to get fit, but can find it hard to know where to start. Our Get Active guide lists loads of activities in the borough, as well as giving tips on how to get started."

Starting is always the hardest thing to do but it is easier to start by choosing an activity you enjoy. Try a range of activities until you find the right one for you. Remember, it should be fun so enjoy yourself.

Exercising or keeping fit on your own can be off putting so why not try getting your friends to join in with you and make it part of your lifestyle.

Ealing's Health Walk Scheme is designed to get people walking in their local community, in groups or independently, during the daytime and at weekends. It was launched in June 2002 with a booklet of 10 short walks in Southall.

All walks are group drop-in' walks, led by trained leaders and include walks in parks, open spaces and along canal towpaths. The booklets can also be used for independent walking, and have directions shown in English, Punjabi and Urdu. The scheme is to be extended to other parts of the borough this year.

Ealing has activities for everyone whether you are young or old or have a disability. The wide range of activities on offer in the borough means there is no excuse not to take part.

Children can take part in Junior Holiday Programmes which are held at local sports and leisure centres during the school holidays. Each centre runs a programme of sports activities including fun sessions, sports coaching and team games.

There are also coached sports courses organised by Active Ealing during the school holidays for eight to 16 year olds which currently include tennis, golf and indoor athletics.

For more information about leisure activities in and around Ealing or for your own copy of the Get Active guide call Active Ealing on 020 8825 6161 or visit http://www.ealing.gov.uk/sports

January 29, 2003 09:30