It's not hell to be healthy

Regular exercise is good for our health and makes us look and feel better. That's the message from EXCEL - the Exercise and Health Project for Sefton - and it has developed a number of initiatives to encourage people of all ages and fitness to take up a healthier lifestyle. At present, there are three main strands to the campaign:

EXCEL Forward

EXCEL Forward provides exercise sessions for the unfit or beginners' end of the fitness spectrum such as low impact walking sessions and low impact aerobics. Classes are now being held at the Netherton Activity Centre and there are also health checks available to monitor weight management and blood pressure.

EXCEL Forward is also running health/talk workshops called "Increasing your Activity" which aims to show local people in the workplace and in the community that being active is easier than most people think.

For more information on the EXCEL Forward workshops and available exercise options contact John Sweeney on 0151-284-1656.

EXCEL on Prescription

Exercise on Prescription is another way that the EXCEL project is making its mark. GPs refer patients to the project to take part in a structured and controlled exercise programme in an attempt to improve health and well-being. Patients with conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, hypertension, increased cholesterol, obesity, anxiety and depression can respond positively to exercise.

This scheme has been established since February 1997 and has been very successful. Patients are referred to the Netherton Activity Centre to take part in a 20 session exercise programme costing £1 per session (50% of the regular fee). After an initial health and fitness assessment with EXCEL staff a programme of exercise is worked out to suit the individual.

After the initial 20 sessions a further assessment will establish whether improvements have been made and a second set of 20 sessions is offered to encourage a more long term approach to exercise.

Due to the scheme's initial success, it has expanded into the Bootle Leisure Centre and Bootle Stadium over the last 12 months with referral from a variety of Bootle-based GP surgeries. It is hoped that the scheme will be running in every Sefton GP surgery in the future.

For information about which GPs are involved with the EXCEL on Prescription programme please contact Sharon Tisdale on 0151-284-8541.

Youth EXCEL

Still in its very early days, Youth EXCEL is one of the latest developments in the EXCEL project. The Netherton Youth EXCEL team is aiming to get out and meet as many young people (aged 14-24yrs) as possible.

Recently they've been visiting schools, youth clubs and community centres offering young people the chance to learn about exercise and health issues and to take part in a taster session of activity. The scheme encourages young people to experience the benefits of physical activity - such as feeling more lively and energetic and more confident about their body shape. EXCEL wants to get the message across that in order to achieve these benefits young people do not have to be "SPORTY SPICE" but can just increase the amount of activity they do within their daily routine.

Youth EXCEL want Sefton's young people to be involved in all stages of the project including the planning phase so that the exercise programmes are tailored to people's needs. It might be activities such as dance classes, aerobics, circuit training, Box-A-Cise or simply walking routes or advice on lifestyle activities. Whatever young people want Youth EXCEL will do its best to try to provide it.

So far, two Youth EXCEL classes have been running in the Netherton Activity Centre. These are "Funky Fitness" and "Box-A-Cise". As a promotional incentive, both were being offered free of charge and were very well attended. It is hoped that these classes will continue running through the new year. The intention is to set up more new sessions in local schools so that young people can take part immediately after school and at a very cheap rate. Youth EXCEL says that every effort will be made to make all young people feel at ease in their exercising environment. All the sessions will be fun and effective.

If you know any young people or if you are aged 14-24 years yourself, keep a lookout for the Youth EXCEL workshops and exercise sessions that will be coming close to your home soon. Start thinking about how you would like to change your lifestyle for a healthier, happier and longer one!!

For more information contact Rachel Wallace on 0151-284-1656.


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