Fresh start for body and mind

If you’re not quite feeling as healthy and energised as you’d like to be, now is a good time to make a commitment to be a better you, whether that’s losing weight, eating more healthily, or getting active.

If you need a helping hand, many initiatives taking place across North Somerset can give you guidance and encouragement.

Help to achieve a healthy weight 

Having a healthy body weight can reduce the risk of some health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. 

Here in North Somerset more than half of adults are classed as overweight or living with obesity - but help is available.

Free 12-week programmes are on offer which include dietary advice, physical activity guidance and behaviour change support. 

In-person sessions take place in Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Nailsea and Clevedon for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more (adjusted to 23 or more for adults of Black African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin, or those with health conditions).  

Programmes starting or available from this month include:

• Choose 2 Lose – 12 weeks of group support to improve habits, with a focus on healthy eating and exercise. You’ll be given the tools to make small but sustainable changes which can be maintained long-term. Available at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre in Weston-super-Mare and Scotch Horn Leisure Centre in Nailsea. To book email Kylie or call 01934 425 900.
• Fit Robins – take back control of your health in this 12-week wellness and weight management programme, available at Portishead Youth Centre. This results-driven weight loss programme is designed to empower you with expert guidance, personalised support, and the tools you need to achieve your wellness goals. Email Daisy-May England or call 07423418 922.
• Health Exercise Nutrition (HEN) Postnatal – have you given birth in the past year? Bring your baby along to these sessions to lose weight, learn to make healthier choices and meet other mums.  Delivered at Vision North Somerset in Weston-super Mare. Find out more or book a space online or email healthylifestyles@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01934 426 349.
• Healthy lifestyles advisers - would you like one-to-one advice about how to lose weight, eat well or get active? In-person sessions with healthy lifestyle advisers take place in Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare. Read the eligibility criteria and find other weight management support available on the Better Health North Somerset website or email healthylifestyles@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01934 426349.

Find an activity you love

Leisure and sports centres can be found throughout North Somerset but if the thought of going to a gym or group classes leaves you feeling cold, there are plenty of other ways to get your heart rate up.

Consistency is key and finding an activity you enjoy means you’ll stick with it.

Here are some ideas of things to do in North Somerset:

• Walking netball - walking netball is fun and social way to become active in your local community. It’s netball but at a walking pace so the rules are slightly tweaked. Sessions started this month at Strode Leisure Centre in Clevedon, from 10.30-11.30am on Mondays. Email kerry.brooks@englandnetball.co.uk to book or call 07540 126 813.
• Wellbeing walks – young adults are invited to join some gentle walks to reconnect with nature and meet new people. Weekly wellbeing walks for 18 to 25-year-olds started last week at Uphill Nature Reserve in Weston-super-Mare. Walks take place from 4.30-6pm every Thursday until 5 October. If you have any questions or would like to have a chat beforehand, email Niky on niky@otrbristol.org.uk  
• Fun, free activities in local parks - start your Saturday with lots of fun and laughter at ParkPlay. The free initiative is for all generations, not just families. Everybody is welcome to take part in the games on offer, from football and rounders to more informal games such as Crown Ball, End Zone and Caterpillar Cricket. Sessions last for 90 minutes and take place in Weston-super-Mare at: Castle Batch recreational ground (9.30-11am); Coniston Green (10-11.30am) and Ellenborough Park West (noon-1.30pm). Another ParkPlay will be starting in the autumn at Cherry Avenue, Clevedon. All participants need to register but this can be done during their first visit if need be. 
• Coastal path celebrations - celebrate the opening of the King Charles III Coastal Path in North Somerset with an event at Weston Museum on Saturday 30 September. Pop along between 10am and 4pm to this free family-friendly event and meet our public rights of way and public health walking teams. As well as a range of stallholders, there will be live music, face painting and more. The first stretch of the national trail to open in our area was between Sand Bay near Weston-super-Mare and Brean Down Fort last June. The latest stretch opened last month and runs from Aust in South Gloucestershire to Wain’s Hill in Clevedon. The remaining phases aim to be completed by the end of 2024. This continuous walking route through the North Somerset coastline and beyond will be called the North Somerset Tidal Trail.
• Free wellbeing workshops for people of Portishead – a series of wellbeing workshops are taking place in Portishead over the next 18 months to improve the lives of local residents. The workshops, an initiative of the Portishead Wellbeing Partnership, are for about 90 minutes each and will cover topics including managing anxiety in children and young people, menopause, developing a healthy relationship with food, living with chronic pain, diabetes management, dementia and falls prevention and end of life conversations. They’ll take place from 7pm on Wednesdays at the Folk Hall in Portishead. The first one (managing anxiety in children and young people) takes place next Wednesday 20 September.  To book a seat, please email wellbeing@portishead.gov.uk or call 01275 847 078.