We live in the UK's most unhealthy town – we hate gyms & never exercise but we don't care… here's why | The Sun
BRITS living in the country's unhealthiest town have told how they hate gyms and refuse to exercise.
Those living in Newport, South Wales, are the least likely to search online for ways to get fitter, according to experts.
Just 255 searches for exercise key terms were made per 100,000 people in Newport, compared to 5,636 in the UK's healthiest town, Bristol.
It means Bristol is 2110% more health-conscious than Newport, according to the Bulk.com figures.
The Sun Online visited the town to ask the people of Newport what they thought of the experts' findings.
Best friends Sam and Nicola, 34, both carers, never work out and say gyms are full of "posers taking selfies".
Read More On Exercise
I transformed my glutes in four months – follow my routine for a ‘fat booty’
I’m a 5’3 gym girl who weighs 127 lbs – I can lift twice my body weight
Sam added: "I haven’t done any exercise since I was a kid in school, but I’m pretty sure my job helps me hit 10,000 steps a day minimum.
“I’m racing around like a blue-arsed fly all day. By the time my day’s done, I feel like I’ve run a marathon.
“But you’ll never see me in a gym or on a squash court.
“I hate gyms because they’re full of posers taking selfies. That’s just not me.
Most read in The Sun
Coronation Street favourite quits the cobbles after 22 years
Huge blow to Starmer as Brits say Sunak best leader & reject woke Labour
Shock Sky favourite in talks to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday
Everton captain Coleman rushed to hospital after suffering horror knee injury
“Also, for many women, gyms can feel like a very intimidating environment, especially if you’re not super fit and sculpted.”
Her friend Nicola agreed. “I look after my mum who has Alzheimer’s and that keep me very active. The last thing I want to do after a day caring is go down the gym and pump iron.
“I’m very happy just as I am, thank you.”
Another local, Natasha, 32, joined a gym for six months last year but only used it once.
She said: “I had all these big intentions but when it came to it, I couldn’t be bothered.
“Life’s too short to spend it in a gym. And it cost a bloody fortune – £42 a month I was paying. I worked out I forked out £252 for 15 minutes on a treadmill.
“But I must admit I’m thinking about joining another gym – a cheaper one – and giving it another go.
“I want to be fit again like I was when I was a teenager. I was always out on a bike then and I was in great shape. I’m older and slower now – and I’ve had two kids.
She questioned the research and added: "I don’t think it’s fair to single Newport people out as unhealthy. There are unhealthy people everywhere.
"Maybe those of us living here already know where the gyms and pools are so we don’t need to google the locations?”
Life’s too short to spend it in a gym
Tegan, 20, doesn't go to the gym, but walks to and from her workplace – a B&M store in the city – every day.
She reckons she clocks around four miles a day on foot.
“I’m working all day so I don’t have time for gyms, but I keep in good shape with the walking. It’s all you need, really.
“And it doesn’t cost anything. In fact, by walking I’m saving a small fortune on bus fares or fuel for a car, as well as doing my bit for the planet.”
Others in the city are dedicated fitness fanatics and spend hours a day in the gym.
Twin sisters Joanne and Leanne, both aged 38, visit their gym every day.
Joanne, who has three children aged four, eight and 20, said: “I spend up to two hours a day in the gym and I love it.
“I go to all the classes, like spin, body sculpt and cardio, and I also lift weights.
“It means I can eat what I like when I like as a result.”
Her sister, Leanne, said: “We’ve been on a fitness roll for at least a year now and we’re loving it. If we can do it, anyone can, and I urge the people of Newport to get fit too and show Google it's wrong.”
Another committed exerciser, David, 32, says he has boxed and trained daily since he was 12 years old.
He said: “Boxing is incredible for the mind and the body. I’d be lost without my training regime.
“It keeps me fit and mentally alert. I’d recommend it to everyone.
“I think Newport is top of this so-called unhealthy league because there is a lot of poverty here and as a result people get themselves tangled up with alcohol and drugs. It’s very sad.”
David said he channels his love of fitness and training into his work as a motivational speaker. “I try to tell people that if they give over their bodies to healthy pursuits, the mind will follow.”
Jake, 21, who works as a professional dog breeder, runs up to six miles every other day – as well as walking his hounds daily.
“That’s quite a lot of miles every week, isn’t it?” he said. “I don’t think this survey is very accurate because I consider myself to be fit and so are all my mates. None of us are lazy.”
University lecturer Sarah, who is in her early fifties, complained that her local gym closed last year and the new complex promised by the local authority has still not been built.
“It’s ridiculous,” she said. “How can people get or stay fit and healthy if there’s no facility for them where they can exercise. It’s essential for people’s mental wellbeing, as well as their bodies, that they have somewhere to go to keep fit.”
A Bulk.com spokesman said: “Every month, there are thousands of searches for terms related to health and fitness in the UK.
Read More on The Sun
I’m a single mum & nurse and did a food shop in Iceland… I feel robbed blind
"This research offers a fascinating insight into where those searches are predominantly coming from and ultimately highlights where in the UK people are most interested in living a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Seeking a healthy lifestyle is the first step to improving not only your physical health currently and for the future, but is a great step in supporting your mental wellbeing through exercise and healthy choices.”
Source: Read Full Article