HEALTH AND FITNESS

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Taking care of your health and well being makes you feel good about yourself in many ways

We are living in a fantastic place to keep ourselves healthy in body and mind with all sorts of resources available locally -many of them free.

Youth and community centres are great local resources for all sorts of activities that can keep you physically and mentally active and healthy


In today’s current economic climate, people are quickly realizing that they have to be part of the solution, to take action, and gain more control of their lives. Keeping healthy in body, mind and spirit is a personal decision and can be less work than you think. Here are some top tips.

· Feel good about your decisions. Bin the guilt.

· Choose exercises you will enjoy and start off in small steps. If you are sociable, try a dance class, if you are spiritual what about yoga and tai chi. If you like a bit of peace and quiet try running (you only have to go around the block at a very slow jog the first day).

· Remember when you felt when you were at you fittest. Get out a photo from that time and pin it up. It will help you keep your goal in mind.


· Get active. Put dance music on when doing housework, play football with the kids. Get the bikes out again for the spring.

Diet

“You are what you eat”

Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruit and veg and less fatty and junk food will increase your energy levels and your immune system. Make small changes such as cutting out snacking on biscuits and have some raw carrots instead. Cut down on tea and coffee and try herbal tea or even hot water.

If you have the occasional treat or binge, don’t feel bad, enjoy it and start again the next day.

Inishowen
We are living in a fantastic place to keep ourselves healthy in body and mind with all sorts of resources available locally -many of them free. Our landscape and natural environment is a real asset to our local community. There are fantastic walks, beaches and hills that tourists from all over the world pay a fortune to come over and enjoy. Spending time outside, walking, cycling, gardening is such a great way to keep healthy, physically and mentally. Get wrapped up and get out there. You will get fitter and feel better.

Golf
Golf is a great way to keep fit and healthy on so many levels. Meeting up with others to play, network and have a bit of craic gets you out of the house for a wee break (that’s bound to be good for you). It can help with mental performance as when you are playing well and are in ‘the zone’ your mind is perfectly quiet and of course you are moving your body walking and taking your shot.

(Don’t forget your warming up exercises if you haven’t played for a while).

North West Golf Club Suspends Entry Fee
North West Golf Club has suspended their First Time Members’ Levy for a limited time so first time members just pay the annual subscription for the season. They have also held their green fees at last season’s prices so if you are playing Monday to Friday it is €30 (or €20 if you are playing with a member) and €35 on Saturday and Sunday (€25 if playing with a member).

They also have special Green Fee rates for players who prefer their golf in the late afternoon. These ‘Twilight’ Green fees will begin in June and cost €15 after 7pm (Mondays to Fridays), €18 after 6pm at the weekend).

Crazy Fit Massage
This power vibration machine is hitting Inishowen by storm. You can hire a machine to use in the comfort of your own home for only €25 per month. It is a great machine for toning and losing weight without having to put any effort in yourself. You simply plug it in, stand on the plate, switch it on and away you go. A ten-minute workout is the same as an hour in the gym. Contact John McLaughlin on 087 2074527

Youth and Community Centres
Youth and community centres are great local resources for all sorts of activities that can keep you physically and mentally active and healthy.

Clonmany Youth and Community Centre
In Clonmany they have a special offer for March with gym membership only €250. There are all sorts of activities on for children and young people (from under 9’s to under 18’s) including indoor football, badminton, uni-hoc, martial arts, disco dancing and boxing. Linda Brady teaches gymnastics on Wednesdays.

Volunteer
Helping out in your local community is also a great way of keeping your body and mind active especially if you have more time on your hands then you are used to. Clonmany Youth and Community Centre are always looking for volunteers for basketball, art, drama, indoor athletics, table tennis or for their games room. If you have an hour or two to spare during the week, or are interested in any of the classes and offers, please contact the centre on 074 9376772

Buncrana Youth Club
Buncrana Youth Club also has great activities on that can help you get fit for summer. Kathy’s Irish dancing for adults is a fun and popular way to get fit and have a bit of craic. Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm.

If you prefer your dancing less traditional the check out the dimensions dance club on Saturday at 6.30pm All ages are welcome and the qualified dance instructors are Linda Brady and Danielle Duddy. Boxing is always popular locally for men and women. Training is on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays between 6.30 and 8pm.

MAKING A WILL

An old proverb says that there is nothing certain in this life except death and taxes. We may not know the hour or place but our days are certainly numbered. It is not something we like to think about, and we all hope it will come later rather than sooner, but it is important to be realistic and to prepare for death by making a Will. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive to have a Will drawn up, and it gives you the opportunity to direct where you would like your assets to go. Some people have land, property or shares to leave as specific legacies and we all have personal items that we might like to leave to a friend or relation for sentimental reasons. As well as bequests to spouses and children, you may wish to remember a particular charity.

Your Local Solicitor
It is advisable for every-one over the age of 18 to make a will that will enable your property and assets to be distributed according to your wishes. A properly drafted Will allows you to provide for your wishes and the needs of your spouse, children, partners and/or family members. Your local solicitor will be happy to explain the benefits of drawing up a will on your behalf and you’ll find it doesn’t take up too much time and it is not that expensive. Drawing up your Will provides that all-important peace of mind that your affairs are in order and that your loved ones are taken care of. Wills may need to be reviewed over the years

Appointment of Guardians
A Will also deals with the appointment of guardians for children under 18. In the event of an unexpected or premature death, children under 18 or those with special needs need to be looked after and taken care of. A guardian will take on the parental role and responsibilities. In order to ensure that your children have a guardian that you choose, it is important to have this specific information written into your Will, and of course talk it over with potential guardians to make sure that they are willing.

Personal Executor
A personal executor ensures that your last wishes and the instructions in your will are carried out. When you draw up your will, you can choose your personal executor. Again, check out with this person that they are prepared to do this for you.

What happens if I die without making a Will?
If you die without a Will this is called in testate. This means that your worldly assets and property will be divided according to the Succession Act of 1965. In effect, this means that your spouse inherits your entire estate if you have no children. If you have children, two-thirds goes to your spouse and a third to the children. If you have no spouse, all your possessions go to your children. If you have no spouse or children, your assets go to your parents and if both are deceased to your brothers and sisters. When you die in testate, delays and probate expenses can mean that your loved ones have to wait when they might need financial support. It also means that your finances become public record.


Make an Appointment
It is easy to delay making the appointment for drawing up your Will, but it is something that shouldn’t really be put off. It is one of the most important documents that you have to prepare, so why not phone up for an appointment today.