By now, the Christmas Decs will be packed away, you'll be into the full swing of work and back to your regular routine. But how are those new year’s resolutions coming along? Still going strong? Still thinking about it or have you knocked them on the head and you're back on the sofa scoffing chocolate?
Was getting fitter and improving your health on your list? Did you give something a try but its not for you? Or are you stuck for ideas?
I’ve done a bit of legwork (as it were) for you.
I’ve put together 8 ideas to help kickstart your healthy lifestyle in 2020 (and you’ll be delighted to know, it won’t break the bank!)
ParkRun
Okay, I appreciate that running isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but please hear me out. I’ve been running (some may say plodding) for 8 years now. Sometimes on my own, sometimes with friends, but often at ParkRun. The great thing about these organised 5km runs, is that you can be truly awful and it matters not one little bit. You can walk round, sprint round, skip round and the only person you’ll ever compete with, is yourself. It’s free and always held on a Saturday at 9am. You can either rock up at Great Cornard Sports Centre or at Clare Country Park. You don’t need to book, but you do need to print out a bar code. Feel free to bring your children, granny, 5th cousin, best mate. All are welcome. Their website can be found here
Join a friendly gym.
There are those reticent to join a gym, put off by the thought of superfit gym bunnies & their perfect bodies, judging your post Christmas paunch. Well, I can tell you, I have always found Peake Fitness at Stoke by Nayland ever so welcoming. At no point have I been made to feel awkward or out of place. Infact, I’ve met some really lovely people through doing their various classes and running club. Peake Fitness has over 50 classes and they cater for all levels of fitness. They have introduced a new class called beginners fitness, as a stepping stone to start your fitness journey. Take a look and download their new timetable here . Their friendly and experienced personal trainers are on hand to help with any questions and a state of the art gym with the latest tech means you can watch Netflix on the running machines - how cool is that? At last, now I can exercise whilst binge watching The Witcher!) and a spa and pool. They have an offer running at the moment, for Membership in A Bag. Take a look here. Lots of goodies and saving is you join before the end of January.
If you’d like to know more, give them a call and have a look around.
Get on Your Bike
If getting fit is on your list for 2020, you’re not going to go far wrong with cycling. It’s a fantastic way of increasing your fitness levels whatever your age or ability. Cycling can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, as well as helping you lose weight and improve your mind. If cycling to work is an option, many offer a cycling to work scheme to help you buy a bike. If you’d like to get on your bike, I recommend firstly join a Bike Club. They’re friendly, all-inclusive groups, that cater for speedy wheels and those just out for the first time. Both Sudbury and Boxford have active Bike Clubs, with regular group rides. You can take a look at their facebook pages here and here.
I’d also recommend you pay a visit to Torque Bikes in Ballingdon, Sudbury, These guys have oodles of cycling experience. Not only do they have a wide range of different types of bikes, including electronic bikes and kids bikes, but they have cycling accessories too. They can build you a bike, mend your bike, service it. They organise group family rides too. They’re a great bunch and really know their stuff, so do pop in. You can read more about them here.
4.Swimming
Swimming is perfect if you’re after a low impact sport. It’s great for weight loss and muscle definition, without putting pressure or strain on your joints. If you’ve not given aqua aerobics a try yet, you can have a go at Peake Fitness and Kingfisher. If you’re not ready to commit to full membership, you’re welcome to pay as you go at BOTH pools. You can download the timetable here
5. Tri-Club
So, you’ve done the running, you’ve done the swimming and you’ve nailed the cycling.. Or not. If you’d like to try something a bit different, whether you’ve run a marathon or just starting out, pop along to East Anglia’s friendliest Tri Club, Tri Sudbury. With regular training, even information on nutrician and positive mindset, there are so many benefits to joining. They even have regular run and talk evenings, to help raise awareness for mental health and welbeing. Want to know more, click here.
6. Get on the water
Sudbury sits on stunning River Stour and what better way to really experience it, than to get on the water, either with the well established Sudbury Rowing Club or Sudbury Canoe Club.
Sudbury Rowing Club was established in 1874 and has regular outings on the Stour, as well as weekly circuit and ERG training. Rowers from the club compete the whole year round, in regattas and head races, but it’s completely up to you as to whether you want to get involved in competitions.
If you’re under 18 and interested in rowing, Sudbury Rowing Club has a really friendly Junior Rowing Club, that perform very successfully at a regional and national level. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit their website. You’re welcome to pop along to the Saturday rowing session and if you’d like to take it further, then you can do the Learn to Row course.
Sudbury Canoe Club welcomes both young and old paddlers. Their website is here and you can get further information about what the club offers.
7. Sudbury Bowls
Sudbury Bowls club, on Quay Lane is a friendly and welcoming club - a great way to meet you new people and keep fit. There are many health benefits to bowls and it because it’s accessible to everyone, it’s perfect for all ages and abilities.
Indoor Bowls has a range of benefits from your health to your wellbeing. These benefits include the improvement of hand eye coordination, the strengthening of bones, muscles and joints, affordable to play, it a great place to meet people and this can help towards improved mood and the fight against depression and anxiety. You can find out more here
8. Exercising at home
If the idea of exercising, whatever that maybe, in front of people horrifies you, don’t worry! Take a look at Vicki Strudwick’s website. She’s undertaking a series of exercise challenges and classes from home and encouraging others to join her virtual classes.
There are bucketloads of way to get fit and it doesn’t need to cost you the earth or force you to wear lycra. I’d be interested to hear about other clubs around Sudbury or any suggestions of exercise I could try. So do get in touch
Here’s to a happy, healthy and fit 2020
