Cycling off the chapattis!

GETTING fit . . . Mohammed Aslam gets some help with his cycling technique from team member Louise Kiely

OLDER men are getting on their three-wheelers in the name of getting fit.

The cycle sessions are part of an eight-week programme to encourage them to take up healthier lifestyles.

The Shape Up scheme targets older men from Oldham’s black and minority ethnic community, and offers a bit of fun as well as tips on ways to improve their well-being and quality of life.

The cycling session was followed by seated exercises and a healthy lunch. The men have been keeping food diaries under the guidance of Waqar Mahmood, a food worker from Oldham Community Health Services (OCHS), which is part of NHS Oldham. And it has resulted in some healthy changes, such as halving their intake of chapattis, and swapping high-calorie puddings for fruit salad.

Ashraf Khan, one of the men taking part, said: “I’ve had surgery on my knee and the sessions are really helping me.

“I’ve also learned lots of things, although I did eat too much during Eid last week — as we all do during festive occasions!”

Other activities tried by the men include Nordic walking, which has proved so popular a number have signed up to a weekly walk in Oldham’s Alexander Park.

The scheme is run by OCHS and Oldham Community Leisure and Activate which promotes cycling and walking as a way of improving fitness.

Anyone who wants information on how to join in should contact Margo Jackson on 0161-621 7150.