Change for life, a swap a day will keep the Dr away

The Change4Life campaign, which aims to to prevent people becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat better and move more, is launching a new campaign this month (January).

The Great Swapathon aims to trial a new approach by distributing £250 million of partner-funded vouchers to encourage people to make ‘swaps’ for a healthier lifestyle.

It is being launched in January as this is the time when people are especially willing to make lifestyle changes.

A spokesman said: “We also know that many of these good intentions falter, because people set themselves impossible tasks. So this year, as part of the Great Swapathon, we’re calling on them to make small, manageable swaps instead.”

To help people get started, campaign organizers have devised a list of practical swaps that they could take up:

1. Swap sugary drinks like fizzy drinks or squash for water, milk or unsweetened fruit juice. This could be in packed lunches, on the way to school or work and during breaks.
2. Swap fry-ups for grill-ups. Everyone enjoys a nice cooked breakfast, but you can easily make it healthier by poaching or scrambling the eggs and grilling the sausages or bacon rather than frying them.
3. Swap the sweetie jar for a bowl of fruit. Once the sweets aren’t there, people soon stop thinking about them!
4. Swap snacking on the run for 3 meals a day – it’s easier to make healthier choices and keep hunger pangs at bay.
5. Swap big plates to smaller plates. Using smaller plates is a good way to keep portion sizes in check (and it’ll look like you’ve got more food!).
6. Swap 4 wheels for 2 feet whenever you can – maybe for the school run, journeys to work or trips to the shops.
7. Swap sitting around indoors for racing around outside. Kids love it and they’ll probably sleep more soundly afterwards.
8. Swap the lift for the stairs – it’s a great way to get your heart going.
9. Swap vegging on the sofa for a swim in your local pool. Find a time that works for you and try to make it a weekly trip.
10. Swap white bread for wholemeal for your sandwiches or toast. It’s tastier and full of fibre.

To register as a local supporter visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/Partners.aspx, or you can order free support materials by calling 0300 123 3434