Laziness is one of our biggest enemies. Sedentary lifestyle is dangerous to your health and there are many risks associated to physical inactivity: cardiovascular health problems, weigh gain, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis…  It is actually one of the fourth largest causes of prevalent death. To avoid falling into sedentary patterns and improve your health, you can join the Be Active Scheme.

Be Active Scheme is a service offered by Lewisham council destined to foster physical activity. It consists of discounts on a whole range of activities, exercise classes, and leisure opportunities all over the borough. If you live in Lewisham and are 60 or over or a disability Freedom Pass holder, you are eligible for the scheme.

To join the scheme, you will need to register at a leisure centre. When you register, you automatically get casual membership to the centers offering the scheme (list: www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/be-active-discounts/Pages/Leisure-centres-and-libraries-offering-the-Be-Active-scheme.aspx). Depending which category you are eligible for, this means you are entitled to either free access or a 25% discount off the center’s facilities. Once you are a casual member, you can apply for unlimited membership, which gives you unlimited use of all the activities offered for around £5 a week, including the use of pools, gym and exercise classes.

Just take a look at what the different centres offer and you will see that there is something that suits you. And remember: active lifestyle is key to preventing some of the most common age-related health problems.