Get Active
Why? It is very important to have physical activity in our everyday lives, in particular to keep our heart healthy.
Click on the link below to find out more about doing physical activities….
Physical Activity
According to the NHS/British Heart Foundation evidence shows that active people have:
- a longer life
- less risk of developing many diseases
- greater well-being - the feel-good factor!
- less anxiety and depression
- less stress - physical activity helps people relax
- lower rates of smoking and substance misuse
- greater ability to function at work and home. This can also lead to greater independence in later life as active people are able to cope with daily tasks more easily
- improved sleep
- better maintenance of a healthy weight
- increased social opportunities - you meet more people and develop friends.
© Scottish Executive, NHS Health Scotland
Sport and exercise
Click on the link to find out what sports you can get involved in within your area
Playing Sport
Taking part in sport or just getting physically active will help you burn off excess calories and maintain your body weight. It will also help reduce your risk of many diseases, such as heart disease.
But remember to check with your GP before starting a new exercise programme, particularly if you haven't exercised for some time.
Sport and recreation in Enfield
Enfield's King George's Field, named in memory of King George V, includes the Queen Elizabeth II athletics stadium, the Enfield Ignatians Rugby Club and numerous football, rugby and baseball diamonds. The playing fields were used as a POW camp for Italians during World War II.
Many sports teams and clubs are located in Enfield; Enfield F.C. and the recently established Enfield Town F.C. are the most prominent. Saracens Rugby Football Club used to play in Enfield and still train at Bramley Road sports ground near Cockfosters.
The principal cricket clubs in the area are Enfield CC, Winchmore Hill CC, North Enfield CC, and Holtwhites Trinibus CC, with many others playing cricket in and around the borough such as Edmonton, Enfield Invicta and Myddleton House. Many clubs play in either the Middlesex Cricket League or the Hertfordshire League.
Swimming clubs (S.C.) include Edmonton Phoenix S.C., Enfield S.C. and Griffins S.C. of Enfield. © Wikipedia
If you are interested in learning more about sports then why not have a look at BBC Sportsround by clicking on the link below…
BBC Sportsround
What to eat when playing sports
Eating a healthy balanced diet will provide you with all the nutrients you need to take part in your favourite sport or activity. This means eating a wide variety of foods, see Nutrition essentials for how to get the balance right.
Timing of meals around workouts is just as important as what you eat if you want to keep your energy levels up. For the first two hours after exercise, muscles can refuel their glycogen stores twice as fast as normal so it’s important to eat carbohydrate-containing foods as soon as possible after a workout or exercise session. © Crown copyright/Food Standards Agency
If you take part in a sport regularly, perhaps you’re a member of a club or team, or a regular at your local gym, then the best way to get the most out of your sport is to:
- be the right weight for your height
- drink plenty of fluids
- eat enough carbohydrate to keep you going during exercise
- eat plenty of wholegrain breads and cereals, fruit and vegetables and moderate amounts of milk, yoghurt and cheese, lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and pulses
- eat enough food for your level of activity. If you eat too little then you won’t be able to keep up your exercise levels
Walking
Why should you walk?
The Walking the way to Health Initiative (WHI) give 5 reasons to start walking:
For health: walking strengthens your heart, your bones and your muscles ... and it helps to control your weight.
For wealth: walking is free and will enrich your life in many ways.
For happiness: walking improves your mood and helps combat depression.
For comfort: go for a walk in your local park or wood and discover how nature can reduce stress and calm your mind.
For joy: walk with friends or join a walking group and discover just how much fun walking can be!
© Copyright 2007 Natural England
Did you know the percentage of adults in Enfield participating in at least 30 minutes moderate intensity sport & active recreation (including recreational walking) on 3 or more days a week, is only 19.7%, compared to 22.3% in the City of London?
If you are thinking of starting walking but have not yet made the decision to do so, then have a look at the WHI website….http://www.whi.org.uk/. They provide a list of regular walks, plus contacts, across the borough. Also links to a larger website on walking and health.
If you want to know when walking events are taking place in Enfield, click the following link Walking Events
Safe Routes to Schools website - http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk/