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UK News

Christian well-being advisor welcomes NHS exercise target rewards

by Eno Adeogun

His comments come as its been revealed that thousands of people could get food vouchers, discounted gym membership or even sports gear under a proposed scheme to get us fit.

NHS England is planning to offer rewards to people in ten pilot areas if they meet weekly exercise targets.

Well-being advisor, Robin Gandy, told Premier that while he welcomes the proposals, it may not be a big enough incentive for all to lose weight.

He however said that Christians could look to scripture for motivation.

He explained: "People eat for a lot of reasons. They will eat for comfort. They will eat when they're angry, they'll eat when they're depressed.

"Fortunately and unfortunately we need to eat to exist, to thrive and God wants us to thrive. It says in Corinthians 6:20...looking at our bodies as a temple of the holy spirt so we should look after our bodies."

The aim of the NHS scheme is to encourage us to ditch couch potato lifestyles, but also provide benefits to those who try to shape up.

Free bikes and even a cinema ticket are also proposed to be up for grabs for people who meet the activity targets, tracked on apps.

Gandy told Premier it's possible to be healthy even while watching a film.

He said: "Take things like carrot sticks and things like that.

"I do smile when I hear it because I go to the movies myself with my wife quite a bit and we don't tend to buy anything at the kiosk, we just literally go and see the movie."

The NHS ideas under discussion are:

  • Free bikes with all new homes
  • Discounted supermarket shopping in reward for achieving a weekly step count
  • Sprinting tracks marked out on "safe pavements" connected to public gyms via urban obstacle courses
  • Outdoor cinemas and community squares to encourage communities to socialise on foot
  • Cooking lessons for local residents

Listen to Robin Gandy speaking with Premier's Eno Adeogun:

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