I can’t believe it’s been one year since the start of the first lockdown and the most difficult year. My prayers and thoughts are with those that have lost loved ones. I recommend taking time to reflect and hope for better times ahead.
One year on and physical and mental health has never been so important. My message is still to “Exercise for Sanity not Vanity” and to use fitness to help reduce the risks of so many chronic illnesses.
I feel so blessed and honoured to have been awarded an MBE for my services to health and fitness over covid19, but this gives me more drive, determination and a platform to continue my mission is to help ALL ages feel good physically and mentally.
We know that the minority communities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, which is increased further if you are overweight or have diabetes. South Asians are less likely to be physically active and six times more likely to have diabetes than the white population. But did you know that you can reduce your risks of Type 2 Diabetes by 50 per cent and it can actually be reversed and even prevented through hitting the government guidelines of physical activity and eating a healthy diet?
I believe that Covid-19 has revolutionised the fitness industry and I have seen all ages embracing technology to enable us to “workout from home.” I’m so proud of the thousands of elderly who have become tech/Zoom savvy, started strength training in my workouts (to help prevent osteoporosis) and that my seniors sessions have helped combat loneliness by being part of my ‘Feel Good’ global virtual community. I’m thrilled that my workouts are also helping the disabled, less mobile and residents in care homes, which have been hit very hard through the pandemic, including dementia and Alzheimer’s residents. Using exercise as medicine to boost moods and lift spirits.
My free “exercise snacks” prove that even a 10-minute workout can boost your physical and mental health and I encourage you to do “bitesize” amounts of movement throughout the day. Use my Free 21 Day Plan on Instagram also as I want to break the common barriers of cost, time and motivation. Enjoy and snack on exercise, keep positive, be kind and congratulate yourself for getting through this last year.
Lavina Mehta was awarded an MBE for services to health and fitness during Covid-19. She is an award-winning personal trainer and wellness coach, regularly on TV and radio passionately promoting the health benefits of exercise to treat, prevent and reduce risks of common chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis. She is also a big advocate of the mental health benefits of exercise.
*You can catch Lavina’s free Seniors’ Workout sessions every Friday at 10am GMT on Zoom. She also has several 60+ sessions, many translated into Gujarati with her mother-in-law.