Around Athlone, there is a sense of anticipation about the Healthy Town 2015 project that kicks off this week.
The launch, at Athlone Civic Centre last week was well attended. The general view locally is it is a positive project to get involved in, and, as former Westmeath county footballer Dessie Dolan, told the launch: it's free, so get involved!
What struck me this week is that the initiative is inclusive of everybody, and this contributed to the enthusiasm at the launch and in town during the week.
It’s not focused primarily on the super fit or the couch potatoes. There is something for everyone, from talks and cookery demonstrations, to running and walking clubs to health checks to programmes in the schools.
There is great variety in the programme, with a different theme each week; this will ensure the interest is maintained through to the end.
What is wonderful about initiatives like this is that they get you thinking about healthy eating, exercise and general health issues. I would regard myself as being fit and healthy, but thinking about it this week, I actually can do better
I eat well, apart from the sugar or overload in the evenings when tiredness sets in, and exercise regularly. Exercise consists of running, walking and occasional classes like body pump, pilates, boxercise (the best exercise class ever!) and spinning.
But the eating habits can slip and the exercise is put on the back burner from time to time, particularly around this time of the year which is particularly busy.
I am particularly interested in the cookery demonstration from Catherine Fulvio that will take place in week two, the week seven focus on the heart and the vital tips on breaking bad habits that will round off the eight-week programme.
As a runner, the talk from running expert Mary Jennings this week (Tuesday, September 8th at 7pm, in the Sheraton Hotel) interests me.
I’d like to hear more about injury prevention and dietary tips for runners, particularly as the miles increase in preparation for 10 mile runs, half and full marathons.
My goals over the eight weeks: cut down on the sugars, stick to a more structured exercise regime and break the bad habits!
* Emer Connolly will be writing a weekly blog during the healthy town programme.