Portland Street got fitter and healthier
Post categories: One Street One Goal,Ìýhealth,Ìýstories
| 10:03 UK time, Monday, 29 March 2010
What a difference a couple of months can make - that's the view of some of the residents of Portland Street, Abertillery, who have taken part in X-Ray's One Street, One Goal challenge.
Living in one of the poorest and unhealthiest parts of Wales, the neighbours resolved to become fitter, healthier and more active and with the help of each other - and some experts provided by the X-Ray team.
Some of the residents of Portland Street before they took part in the Sport Relief mile this March
At number 11 Joanne and Ivor Beynon and their six children threw themselves into the idea and say they haven't looked back since.
"It's been brilliant," says 32-year-old Joanne, "We've really enjoyed it as a family and as a street.
"Since the item began on the show I've had people coming up to me on the street, at work, in the shops. My mother reckons I should get my own talk show."
Her newfound fame aside, Joanne says her involvement in the One Street healthy cooking 'masterclass' - neighbour Angela Phillips passed on some tips from the healthy options café she works in - has had a "positive" effect.
"It's something that will always benefit me. It showed me that experimenting with what you cook and eat needn't be expensive.
"It also made me realise that my children can cook!"
Ivor, 42, says the last few weeks have made him look at himself in a different light.
"I grew up on a farm and we were almost self-sufficient," explains Ivor, who works as a tour guide. "But in recent years, with six kids between Joanne and myself, I'd slipped into the easy habit of eating 'feelgood' ready meals.
"When I had the first One Street health check I realised I was a bit podgy and that was a bit of a surprise. So I've realised that it doesn't take very long to prepare a healthy meal and I've altered my diet."
Joanne's sister Catherine Lloyd lives in a flat at Number 11. Catherine says the One Street fitness training sessions with ex-Army captain Dom Pascoe "kick-started" her interest in keeping fit and this has had tangible knock-on benefits.
"Working with Dom toughened me up and was a real eye-opener. I came back from a five mile run in appalling weather and my sister thought I was beaming.
"Getting fitter has helped me to handle stress and heightened my sense of humour. Physically, psychologically and emotionally, I've been surprised how much of an effect it has had on my life."
Anthony Marsh, a 35-year-old single parent, who lives at Number 5 with his five-year-old son Ben, shares the sentiment.
A 30-a-day smoker, Anthony made the most of the advice supplied by Liz Clarke from Stop Smoking Wales and packed in the fags - it's now been eight weeks and counting. He's also enjoyed working with Dom Pascoe.
"I've given up smoking and started running again," says Anthony. "I'm hoping to do the Torfaen half-marathon in October.
"I feel a lot healthier in myself since doing the fitness training with Dom and I feel like I have a lot more energy."
And if you've embarked on steps towards a healthier life this year, let us know how you've got on below.
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