Cornwall Council challenges residents to get active in lockdown
A series of videos will be launched in a bid to keep everyone motivated.
In the last lockdown we had beautiful sunny skies to tempt us all to go and enjoy the great outdoors. This time it’s a little different with dark evenings, and many of us stuck indoors working from home, on extended furlough or looking for work.
Therefore, Cornwall Council is launching an activity challenge to help you get motivated and stay that way for the next month.
Called ’30 ways in 30 days’ the plan aims to help people who haven’t exercised for a while and perhaps find the thought of doing any exercise a bit daunting.
With tasks such as going for a walk or doing chair-based exercises this plan creates simple, easy ways for people to keep, taking small steps towards getting that little bit healthier.
All exercises are safe to do indoors or within the lockdown guidelines. The council is reminding people that you can only exercise indoors with someone from your household or support bubble and meet one person at a social distance outdoors.
Each day, it will be sharing some easy ideas for ways to be active from as little as ten minutes a day, as well as some ways to keep motivated and on track.
You can do the activities at home on your own, or with another member of your household as part of our buddy workout.
Guided videos for short routines will also be put up on its social media channels so you can do at home.
You can sign up by texting “30ways” to 82228 and by doing so you will receive a text every other day for the 30 days with prompts to head back to the website and motivational tips. All of the texts you receive are free.
“For lots of people, doing vigorous exercise or going for a run is too much of an obstacle and this plan aims to break down any barriers that exist to someone starting to do exercise. The plan suggests a new activity every day, with day one simply going for a ten-minute walk.
“It might sound really simple, but one of the best things we can do for our health is to sit less and move more.
"This is ideal for someone who does little to no exercise and it encourages people to focus on the positive feelings they get from taking those little steps, instead of focusing on any feelings of guilt, specifying that if you miss a day there is no reason to give up, just get back on it the next day”.
Cllr Sally Hawken, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for children, wellbeing and public health
“A new plan will be added weekly onto Healthy Cornwall website, with video guides to talk you through that day’s session.
"The idea is that people can check in daily and see what it is they should try to do, without being overwhelmed by seeing the whole month in one go and perhaps thinking that it is too much for them.”
Rachel Wigglesworth Deputy Director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
You can also follow Healthy Cornwall on social media for hints and tips during the 30 days.