Eating a wide range of food and getting regular exercise is the best way to stay healthy and avoid becoming overweight. It can also help prevent many diseases such as stroke, cancer and diabetes.
But it can be difficult to stay fit and healthy when you move to a new country, especially if there is a change in your daily routine, the type of food you eat and how much physical activity you do.
There are lots of groups and services you can access to help you live a healthier lifestyle, even if you are busy with work, family and study. Many of them are free or low-cost.
Healthy eating and physical exercise
Better Health offer free apps for your mobile phone and support to make healthy changes – whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking.
You can go walking, running or cycling in parks in Leeds for free. Some of the parks also have gym equipment you can use. There are nine big parks and 62 smaller parks in local communities. Find out about more on the Leeds City Council website:
There are also 14 leisure centres in Leeds run by Leeds City Council. They offer sports, swimming and exercise classes. You have to pay for activities, but the prices are not as expensive as a gym.
There are lots of community centres and organisations in Leeds that run groups and activities where you can learn to cook healthy food or join in exercise in your local area.
Some of the activities are free (especially if you are receiving welfare benefits) or you may be required to pay a small charge. The activities on offer often change, so the best way to find up to date information is to check their websites or contact them directly. Organisations you can try include:
Barca
West Leeds
West Leeds Services
0113 255 9582
Feelgood Factor
North and North-East Leeds
Feel Good Factor
0113 350 4200
[email protected]
Health for All
South Leeds
Health for All
0113 2706903
[email protected]
Space 2
North-East Leeds
Space 2 Physical Activity Sessions
0113 320 0159
Touchstone – Better Together
Inner East Leeds
Touchstone (click just below Downloads for the weekly program)
0113 271 8277 / 0113 216 4143 (Punjabi)
Zest – Health for Life
North East Leeds
Zest – Health for Life
0113 240 6677
Stop smoking
Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your health. You can get free NHS support and prescription medication to help you do this at clinics across Leeds, run by One You Leeds.
Help with drugs and alcohol problems
If you or someone you know has problems with drugs and alcohol, you can access free treatment from Forward Leeds.
