Living healthily in London may seem like an oxymoron. Particularly at the moment when the tubes and buses are rammed full of people coughing and spluttering all over one another. Remember the report published on the internet by UCL's 'Department of Forensics' in 2002? It revealed that it was healthier to smoke five cigarettes a day than to travel on the tube and that we were sitting on top of human excrement, semen and dead rats. OK, the report turned out to be a fake but we believed it.
More credible studies have revealed that dust levels are 20 times higher underground than above. Not that we need scientists to tell us the tube's not the healthiest way to travel, the black coloured snot in your tissue and visible layer of grime on your face are pretty good indicators.
But is it any better above ground? The Mayor of London's website, www.london.gov.uk, tells us that air pollution in London leads to 1,600 premature deaths each year with another 1,500 hospital admissions. We can't avoid travelling around London, so what can we do to stay healthy?
As it is estimated that traffic is responsible for 90% of all carbon monoxide and 50% of nitrogen oxide emissions it obviously makes sense to keep off the busy roads. Whenever possible, avoid sitting in cars and buses in gridlocked traffic and walk or cycle along quieter side streets instead. Half of all journeys made in London are less than two miles long so there is no excuse. \n\nWhat can I do?
Cycling is a fantastic way to keep fit and healthy but despite the surge in bike sales after the terrorist attacks on July 7th, only 2% of journeys in London are made by bike compared to a whopping 28% in Amsterdam.
Once you're on your bike or on foot it is easier to avoid the main roads than you think, the London Cycling Guide is a series of 19 maps which shows you the best routes to take. These can be ordered free from the TfL website, www.tfl.gov.uk or lcc.org.uk, the website of the London Cycling Campaign which contains loads of useful advice about cycling in London.
Admittedly cycling does have its downsides. Wearing a helmet does nothing for your hair, bicycle clips are unlikely to become Top Shop's best selling fashion accessory and I have yet to experience any of this ‘eye contact with the cute guys' promised in the advertisement. The cute guys, generally those athletes clad head to toe in lycra tend to whizz by you in a blur, eye contact the last thing on their minds. And yes, it is freezing cold at the moment but cycling saves you a fortune in fares, you've done your exercise for the day by the time you reach the office and anything's better than the stress of using London's overcrowded, expensive and unreliable public transport system.
Gyms
If cycling really isn't for you, London has a huge range of sporting and exercise facilities. Fitness First, fitnessfirst.co.uk, the UK's largest operator has over 50 gyms in London and has a wide range of flexible membership options including use of reciprocal clubs. Many gyms offer special deals in January to entice you to lose those pounds after Christmas indulgence; LA Fitness, www.lafitness.co.uk, is doing two memberships for the price of one. Shop around when you’re looking for a new gym and don't be afraid to barter, there are hundreds of gyms fighting for your business and in my experience it is often possible to at least waive the joining fee. Check out local council for details of gyms, sports centres and swimming pools for more reasonable rates.
Exercise for Free!
If you don’t like the idea of paying £500 plus a year to pound the treadmill then make the most of your lunch break and enjoy London's beautiful parks.
Wrap up warmly, pull on a pair of trainers and go for a brisk walk. If you fancy something a bit more energetic then check out www.serpentine.org.uk where there are lists of London's running clubs and graded running routes, including a seven mile run through the Royal Parks.
If you're feeling competitive why not enter the 5K race held in Hyde Park on the last Friday of every month. You'll feel far more virtuous than if you'd gone for that lunchtime pint.
Don't forget to get your skates on this winter as the festive ice rinks are now open. Particular favourites of mine are those at Somerset House (which also offers an ice climbing wall this year), Greenwich and Hampstead Heath which are all located in beautiful settings. Log on to www.yourlondon.gov.uk for a full list of ice rinks open this Christmas.\n\nHealthy Eating
So, you've got your exercise sorted but don't forget the old adage, 'you are what you eat'.
Are you fed up of Tesco’s harsh fluorescent lighting, trolley rage and flawless fruit (which can’t be eaten for weeks it’s so unripe)? Does your local takeaway know you so well that you get a Christmas and birthday card? Then why not visit a farmers' market where you’ll be able to buy food from the person who produced it. Check out www.lfm.org.uk for a list of certified London markets.
Borough Market, www.boroughmarket.org.uk, although not an official Farmers Market, makes a fantastic place to visit on a Friday or Saturday (see website for a list of extended Christmas opening hours), particularly if you're hungry. Stall holders tempt you with free samples of breads, cakes, cheeses, chutneys, olives, meats and fish and delicious fruit and vegetables.
When you've finished shopping (and eating!), treat yourself to a cup of warm organic cider or two.
Fresh & Wild, the UK's largest organic and natural food retailer has six stores in London with an impressive range of food and natural remedies, and smaller healthfood shops are now a feature of most high streets. If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your home but want to buy ethically produced food then you can always log on to www.organicdelivery.co.uk or www.abel-cole.co.uk who will deliver to your door.
One last note, don’t forget about your mental health. London can be a stressful place to live and work, exacerbated by the July 7th attacks. Crowds, traffic, public transport, pollution, anonymity and hectic lifestyles can all take their toll so don’t forget to relax whenever possible and take some time out just for you.
