Make 2016 the year to get fit and active

No excuses.. It is time to get out, get active and get fit in Ipswich and we have discovered a proven method for reducing weight and improving fitness with The Fitness Unit based in Ipswich.

As the New Year commences our thoughts are drawn to improving our wellbeing by getting active, improving fitness and losing weight. Fortunately there are many ways in which you can achieve all three in and Ipswich and I am going to share with you a few ideas to help you kick-start the New Year by considering some ways in which you can enjoy getting active in Ipswich this year.

Walking and Jogging – Parks, Riverbanks and along the Shore

One of the main benefits of living in Ipswich is that we have access to some beautiful parks including Christchurch, Holywells, Alexandra, Bourne and Chantry parks each provide excellent pathways for walking and most of them have distance markers for those like myself that wish to record and measure improvements in speed and distance. Holywells Park is a personal favourite of mine and after its recent refurbishment it now offers regular health and wellbeing events as well as a number interesting trails, full details may be found in their health and wellbeing leaflet. There are also many excellent walks along the river Gipping from Ipswich to Needham Market.

And with easy access to the river Orwell estuary there are some excellent walks along the shore line at Orwell Country Park and Nacton Shores. And for those that wish to join a group that offers organised rambling then the Ipswich and District Ramblers Association offer lots opportunities to join numerous walking activities during the year. And not to forget the ever popular Suffolk Walking Festival which this year will take place between 14^th May – 5^th June 2016.

Park Run Ipswich and Kesgrave

And for those that like to be a little more energetic then our beautiful parks also offer a great place in which to jog, of special note is Chantry Park which hosts the popular Park Run, more than 3,000 runners have joined Park Run in Ipswich which is staged at Chantry Park every Sat at 9am (start). On occasions the Ipswich run is hosted in Christchurch Park and there is also a Park Run group which operates in Kesgrave. For further information about Park Run in Ipswich visit the Ipswich Park Run website. And for those that considering jogging for the first time there are some useful resources available via the Run Britain website.

Cycling – On and Off road

As a keen cyclist myself there is always easy access to the open countryside and so many options available. A particular favourite of mine is the ride out along Nacton Road which passes through Nacton and Levington* villages, there is a sequence of hills that make the ride more interesting and there are beautiful views across the Orwell estuary on the road towards Trimley St Martin, then travelling back via Kirton and Bucklesham villages before returning to Ipswich via the Bucklesham Road. A ride that is approximately 15 miles and covering roads that are not too busy.

*For a more leisurely ride you can always spend a few minutes at the Levington ship which is on-route. If you prefer cycling as part of a group then I would recommend joining a club and there are a number in Ipswich that accommodate all levels of cyclist including Ipswich Bicycle Club, Wolsey Road Club and the Sky Ride Ipswich. Alternatively there is access to off-road cycling, a popular location for all the family where it is also possible to hire cycles is Alton Reservoir.

And a proven way to lose weight and improve fitness

And for those that want to prepare for a new fitness habit or to make a serious transformation to their lives then we recommend The Fitness Unit an independent gym based in Ipswich who year-on-year continue to deliver amazing results for their members. They offer a full range of personal training and fitness activities at their gym based in Felixstowe Road in Ipswich as well as the very popular Fitness Unit Bootcamps and Buggy Workouts that take place at Bourne Park, Christchurch Park, Felixstowe Pier and Woodbridge.

Of particular note is the 12 Week Fat Loss Programme which continues to deliver spectacular results, I have highlighted below some examples of the amazing transformations that have been made by local people who have been part of this proven method for shedding the pounds and getting fit. If you a serious about your health and wellbeing then I suggest contacting The Team at The Fitness Unit where Anita, Rachel and the team will be will to help and advise you. Tel 01473 715243.

We think that by starting a new fitness activity with the end in mind is a good idea. How will you look? How will you feel? How much will you weigh? What will you be able to achieve? Therefore imagine where you want to be in six months and then make a plan and make it happen. Whatever your goals for the year ahead we wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year.