With nearly two thirds of people making it their New Year's resolution to get fit, residents in Wolverhampton are being offered a helping hand to improve their health and wellbeing in 2017.

The City of Wolverhampton Council's Healthy Lifestyles Team provides free support to people who want to become fitter and more active, lose weight, eat more healthily, stop smoking or drink less alcohol.

Its Health Trainers offer confidential advice face to face and create a personalised health plan to help people achieve their goals. They also provide practical help, support and encouragement for up to 6 months.

Health checks are also available to anyone who lives, works or is registered to a GP in Wolverhampton which will review a range of factors, including an individual's weight, height, BMI and blood pressure.

A report from Public Health England published last week revealed that 8 out of 10 middle aged Britons either weigh too much, drink excessively or are inactive.

It also revealed a 16% increase in the number of overweight adults in the UK in the last 20 years and that diabetes rates have doubled in people aged between 40 and 60.

People with an existing long term health condition, or have a high risk lifestyle such as smokers or those who are overweight, may particularly benefit from making even small changes to their lifestyles.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Healthy Lifestyles team have a key role to play in improving the health and wellbeing of people living in our city.

"I myself have experienced the support they offer. Their help was instrumental in setting me on my weight loss journey, and with their continuing encouragement I have been able to lose over 8 stone in 2 years.

"The New Year is an excellent time to step back and think about the most important things in life, and what can be more important to us than our own health and wellbeing?

"I would encourage anyone who has made it their New Year's resolution to get in shape to speak to our Healthy Lifestyles Team and get the help and support they need to take the first steps towards improving their health and wellbeing."

For more information, please call the Healthy Lifestyles Team on 01902 553838 or 0800 073 4242.

For more information about improving your health and wellbeing, and to take the One You quiz to see what kind of shape you are in, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=3740;Title=One You Wolverhampton;.

  • released: Friday 30 December, 2016