BLGBT Sport.qxp_zone world aids 28/11/2016 14:39 Page 1
GET ACTIVE!
Birmingham LGBT’s David Viney suggests some great ways to get active and improve your fitness this Christmas and beyond...
Picture by Nick Hynan Christmas can be a stressful time for many, whether it’s because of work, not knowing what to buy loved ones, or perhaps on account of spending too much time with the dreaded in-laws! Here, David Viney, Birmingham LGBT’s Health & Wellbeing Manager, explains how to de-stress by staying active... Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. Also, being physically active and less sedentary is important for good health, both physical and mental. But do you know just how important it is and why? With recent evidence suggesting that gay and bisexual men are less likely to be engaged in regular physical activity, it begs the questions, “How could I be more active?” and “How have we, as a community, responded to this issue?” - but we’ll come to that later...
“Why we are less active as a community?” There are common reasons for inactivity that cut across society. These include perceived lack of time, injuries, illness and mobility issues, a lack of interest or motivation, and 20 midlandszone.co.uk
availability or accessibility of facilities. Add in the extra barriers faced by gay and bisexual men wishing to take part in mainstream sports or group activity (Out For Sport), and we face a set of interrelated factors that cause us to be more inactive as a community than our heterosexual peers.
“But I feel okay, so do I really need to?” In short, YES! According to the World Health Organisation, after smoking, physical inactivity is the most important factor you can change to lower your risk of chronic diseases, including some cancers. A sedentary lifestyle can double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. It also increases the risk of colon cancer, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety. Research shows more physical activity can improve your health and wellbeing in the following ways: · Control your weight. · Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. · Reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. · Reduce your risk of some cancers.