Active stations!

When we get around to doing some exercise, whether it's going for a jog in the park or getting down to the swimming pool, we know it makes us feel instantly healthier. It puts a spring in our step, and might even put a smile on our face.

But how many of us know just how important fitness really is?

Now City of York Council has joined forces with Selby and York Primary Care Trust to let people know just that. They have invited health and sports representatives from across York to set up a "physical activity forum", which aims to come up with a plan of action for how to get the city more active.

The forum has now held its first meeting, where about 30 interested people from around York gave their ideas on how this could be achieved. Participants ranged from representatives of York City Football Club, Age Concern, Copmanthorpe Football Club, York Hospital staff, and the Chinese College of Physical Culture - which runs a T'ai Chi class at Burton Stone Community Centre.

Jo Gilliland, head of sport and active leisure for City of York Council, explained exactly why a positive action plan was needed to get people in York into their tracksuits and doing some exercise.

"Activity in the city is so incredibly low, and that will have a massive health impact," she said.

"Twenty-four per cent of adults take part in an activity. We need to get people doing more. We can't do everything for everybody now. It's about talking to people, joining up, making sure we can really make an impact." The Evening Press revealed yesterday how health chiefs had stated there could be as many as 7,000 clinically obese youngsters in the York and Selby area alone.

We told the inspirational story of Abi Nelson, who lost three-and-a-half stone in one year after weighing in at 16 stone at the age of 13.

National figures have also revealed the majority of people are failing to take the minimum recommended levels of exercise - 30 minutes five days a week - despite dire warnings from health experts. Forum organisers want to come up with a plan which:

Helps different groups work together with specific objectives to get York healthier

Develops a shared understanding of what is happening at the moment, and what different sources of funding are

Identifies the many groups around York which are providing physical activity, and what is not being done

Is based on two types of physical activity - an active lifestyle, eg walking to work, digging the allotment, washing the car, cycling to school; and active recreation, eg mountain biking, swimming, dancing, walking for pleasure.

Paul Olsson, football in the community officer for York City, was one of many people who turned up to the first forum meeting at the Priory Street Centre.

"I think it's great to get more children and more adults involved in health activities. If we can help through the football club it's good for everybody," he said.

"There's a lot going on. We need to promote it better."

Amy LeBlanc, health and fitness manager for Next Generation gym in Hull Road, was also at the meeting.

"For your average person who doesn't have an awareness about it, it (exercise) can have such a huge impact on your health, and your enjoyment and quality of life," she said.

"The ideal thing is to come up with a plan that we will sit down and strive for.

"It's getting through to people in all demographics and every corner of the city."

Updated: 10:20 Friday, March 24, 2006