NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

If 2024 is the year you want to do try something new – whether that’s eating more healthily, exercising more frequently, giving up smoking or alcohol, or simply get out and about more, we’ve grouped together some ways you might achieve this.

On this page, you’ll find some links to:

Exercise classes and events

Support available for those wanting to quit smoking or drinking

S chemes and support for those wanting to lose weight

Local social groups

Exercise classes and events

We’ve been working alongside Jo Regardsoe of The Fit Hut for several years now. With pilates classes both online and in-person, she’s got a class to suit everyone.

Friends of Parkwood members can grab a free trial pass to try a pilates class at The Fit Hut and a further 10% discount on all pilates courses.

Find out more here.

Hertfordshire Health Walks organise walks of all distances and difficulties across the county. Once you’re registered, you can attend any of the walks for free, safe in the knowledge you’ve got a trained volunteer leading the session.

Find out more here.

Parkrun is an international phenomenon, where each Saturday morning, people meet to run 5k for the sheer fun of it. You can join for free and take part in any one of thousands of events across the country – our nearest one is in Gadebridge Park.

Find out more here.

Support for those looking to quit smoking or alcohol

9 million people in the UK aim to take part in Dry January. Alcohol Change UK has some fantastic resources to help support you in cutting back or quitting altogether – for the next month or for good.

Check out their tips here.

If it’s smoking you’re looking to cut down on or stop completely, your local pharmacist may have the tools to help you. Pop in or have a look at the ‘Your Health Your Pharmacy’ website to see what they can offer.

The SmokeFree website also has lots of tips to help quit cigarettes, including challenges, texting programmes and an app

Schemes and support for losing weight

43% of us have expressed a wish to lose weight in 2023, according to a recent YouGov poll. But… it’s really hard!

If you’re male, aged 18-65 and have a BMI of over 30, ShapeUpHerts can help. Their free 12-week programmes are proven to help kickstart your weight loss journey. Find out more, including how to sign up, here.

EFL FitFans is aimed at both male and female football fans aged 35-65, with a BMI of 28+ and a waist measuring more than 38 inches for men, or 31 inches for women. Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers are the closest clubs supporting this initiative, but you can find out more from their website.

The free NHS Weight Loss Plan app also works over 12 weeks, helping you to set goals, meal plan and make healthier choices.

The NHS Eat Well website also has lots of information about eating more healthily, so you can make 2023 the year you don’t just lose weight, you change your lifestyle.

Local social groups

Our own Knit and Natter group runs each Tuesday at Great Sturgess Road Community Hall from 2-4pm.

Find out more and how to join here.

The Repair Shed is for men aged 50+ who want to make and mend items as you would in a traditional garden shed. Hemel Hempstead’s branch of this nationwide initiative also offers a Sewing Cafe where men or women can learn how to use a sewing machine to ‘make do and mend’. Find out more here.