By February many of us will have lost motivation for our good intentions of Dry January and New Year diet and fitness plans so here is a little bit of information to help you to keep up the good work.

A recent study conducted by University College of London show 48% of Britons will be obese by 2045 if current trends are not halted.  1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children aged 10-11 years are obese which leads to Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, bowel, pancreatic, kidney, liver and stomach cancer.

The New Year Diet and fitness TV shows explained the way that we can reduce our current serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise. Drastic changes to diet and lifestyle can often be unsustainable so remember to manage change gently and try something different if at first you don’t succeed. Evening gym and exercise classes may not fit your timetable but you may be able to join your local health walk or go for a lunch time stroll and take the stairs when shopping. Tidy up that garden or volunteer to help with open spaces in your area. One day a week without the evening glass of wine is a positive start!   Check your parish magazine or ask us for details of local activities and check with your GP if you have a health condition.

“It is a process to change your taste buds, and it might not feel good those first few days,” “But over a week or so, your taste buds will adapt.” After eating a diet with less sodium, identifying food as tasting too salty can happen pretty quickly, in a week or less.  Ariana Cucuzza, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic’s Centre for Functional Medicine 2018 Rally Health, Inc.

Keep going everyone!

A quick reminder to check the expiration date on blue badges and bus passes as they run out and can’t be used. Bus passes are not being automatically replaced anymore – unless you request it (to reduce wastage costs). Call 0300 123 2224 to get yours replaced.

We all know that the NHS is under great strain in the winter and it can be hard to get a Doctor’s appointment.  Consider whether you could get advice from your Local Pharmacy where you will not need an appointment but there are private rooms to support advice and diagnosis.

Pharmacy teams can give advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries such as aches and pains, sore throats, coughs, colds, flu, earache and skin rashes.  They also provide the morning after pill and advice on pregnancy testing.  They will advise on over the counter medicines as well. www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-your-pharmacist-can-help.

Last month we gave advice on keeping warm and going out during the winter months.  As an addition to this, check your local cinema’s for autism friendly showings. Yeovil is the last Sunday of the month at 10am www.somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk/autism-friendly-cinema

Surviving Winter grants are available for older people living in Somerset, who are unable to adequately heat their homes.  If you are struggling to afford to heat your home this winter contact your Village Agent for more information.