Almost two thirds of adults living in the UK are either overweight or obese and Nottingham is no exception.

This week is National Obesity Week, and the perfect time to think about how you can be more active and lose the extra pounds. Not only can fitness better your health and reduce the risks of heart, kidney and liver disease but it can also boost your mood too.

Fortunately, in Nottingham City there are many free and subsidised opportunities to support you in doing this. Here are some ideas for you and your family:

Free outdoor activities

  • Walking: There are 12 parks across the city with mapped walking routes that can be downloaded from the council’s website.
  • Gym: We have 23 outdoor gyms, all free and just a stone’s throw away from your front door step.
  • Running: Park run is a 5km timed run available at Forest Recreation Ground and Colwick County Park every Saturday morning. Register at www.parkrun.org.uk.

Leisure centres

  • Join Active Nottingham, which gives you access to all eight Nottingham City Council leisure centres. By signing up you save £1 every time you book an activity. Visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/activenottingham or call 0115 876 1600.
  • Dementia Swimming was launched by Nottingham City Council in partnership with the Alzheimer’s society. It provides a safe environment for people diagnosed with dementia to enjoy swimming. A carer can go with them free of charge. For more information visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/dementiaswim.

Activities for women

This Girl Can Nottingham is a celebration of active women across the county who are doing their thing no matter how they look or how well they are doing it.

The Notts Girls Can website features news and information about the campaign locally, an activity search function to find a new activity or sport, as well as case studies and inspirational stories from some of our amazing women in Nottingham. They’re also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thisgirlcannottm.

Apps

There are plenty of apps that can count your steps and miles. We recommend the ‘Active 10’ app from Public Health England. It shows how much brisk walking you are doing and how to increase it by fitting just 10 minute manageable chunks into your day. Visit the PHE website to download it.

Physical activity can be a time to de-stress alone, meet new people, or do something together with friends or family. Whichever activity you choose, make sure you enjoy it!