Refurbished centre opens its doors to healthy living

BEAU SEJOUR Centre visitors had help to kick-start improvements to their lifestyle on Saturday. The centre ran an open day in conjunction with the Health Promotion Unit to celebrate its reopening and the launch of healthy heart month. 'It's an opportunity for people to look at the centre in its finished state and also to see how they can improve their lives through healthy eating and being active. 'More or less every physical or mental ailment can be improved through exercise,' said sales and marketing manager Sam Herridge. The swimming pool and steam and sauna rooms were free, with taster sessions available in the gym. Sports development officers were on hand to help people sample various activities including cycling, cricket, squash, badminton and table tennis. Gerry Le Roy, health promotion officer for coronary heart disease and smoking, said that all that was needed was half-an-hour of walking or running most days of the week, even broken up during the day. 'It doesn't have to be painful and it shouldn't hurt the next day. People think being physically active makes them tired, but actually you have more energy and function better. The heart is a muscle and to keep it healthy, you have to use it.' Information on weight-management courses incorporating exercise, healthy eating and stress management were also available. Live for Life tutor Teena de la Mare offered information on a healthy eating plan. 'By sticking to it, I've lost 10kg since Christmas. It's been brilliant because you just watch all fats and sugars and have a balanced diet, including fibre, with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.' The Guernsey Cardiac Action Group explained how it helped people with heart problems through a home rehabilitation programme and also with exercise equipment at the Chest and Heart Association centre. Andy Remfrey, Royal Life Saving Society pool lifeguard and national trainer assessor, teaches lifesaving, lifeguarding and CPR. 'It's converting bystanders into lifesavers. I can teach someone to save a life in a minute by showing them how to open the airway and teach them basic CPR in half-an-hour. Anybody can do it.' Guernsey Quitline and Gasp were also at the open day, with the latter holding a children's skipping competition. Anyone who wants more information on the healthy lifestyle courses should call the Health Promotion Unit on 707311. For information on lifesaving, call the Beau Sejour Swim School on 747240.