Helping Exmouth people to get fit

East Devon District Council is adding its weight to a new scheme at Exmouth to encourage people who are overweight to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

A course at Bidmead Community Centre in Exmouth starts on Monday, June 8, and will run for 12 weeks under the direction of local personal wellness coach Shelley Kitchen. The person who loses the most weight will win up to �300.

Run in partnership with the Government's 'Change4Life' initiative, a series of community weight loss challenges is being held in East Devon and in many other parts of the country.

Over the 12-week programme, the organisers will offer advice on protein, healthy meals, water, metabolism, exercise, eating out and so on.

Participants will be able to take away printed information to refer to at home.

The aim is to look after and support everyone who joins the group, regardless of their chosen weight-loss method. Emphasis is put on healthy eating, encouraging people to go for the healthy option with exercise for long-term health and not an rely on over-the-counter or internet bought diet pill options.

Eating better will encourage better choices at supermarkets or local greengrocers and restaurants. Exercise will hopefully bring families to parks, the beach, bowling, swimming, tennis and gyms or any form of entertainment with activities.

Councillor Miss Jill Elson, EDDC's Portfolio Holder Communities, said: "I am all in favour of encouraging a healthy lifestyle and I wish the organisers of these courses every success. We encourage people to exercise in our parks and sports centres, but this has to be associated with healthy eating and a sensible overall lifestyle. Sometimes, all that people need is a bit of support and encouragement to make life-changing decisions."

l Contact Shelley Kitchen on (01395) 269857.