Winter 2012 - Translink

18 Health & Wellbeing
Get Fit in 2013
Four years ago, Ulsterbus Inspector Gary
Lawther from Bangor Bus Station was
diagnosed with heart disease. Determined
to make something positive from this life
changing event, Gary studied to become a
qualified Fitness Instructor and Personal
Trainer and has since established 3F
Personal Training. He is keen to point out
that, whilst some people are predisposed
to ailments through hereditary conditions
we can all benefit from improving our
lifestyles. Here are Gary’s key tips on how
to do just that:
Eat a balanced diet
You are what you eat! Make yourself healthier by
eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole
grains and low-calorie, low fat proteins. Avoid
processed foods. If it doesn’t grow or breathe then
don’t eat it. Check out the eat well plate for more
information at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/
Pages/eatwell-plate.aspx
Introduce regular activity
Keep healthy, stress free and confident! Choose
something, initially, that you can stick to, like walking
to work or the shops a few times a week and build
up from there. Try to work out with a friend for extra
motivation.
Set yourself goals and work towards them
Success breeds success! Build your own framework
for self-improvement and relish in the confidence
boost you will get from completing your goals – then
set some more.
reduce your alcohol intake
A little of what you fancy - in moderation! Most of
us could benefit from cutting down on the empty
calories.
Drink more water
Sounds simple but H2O keeps your digestive system
functioning, helps you fight germs and ensures you
stay refreshed. A hydrated body can perform much
more efficiently.
Stop smoking
Enough said! Try to break the habit and feel the
benefit of a healthier life.
Smile!
Be positive and enjoy life and you’ll feel so much
better. Happiness comes from within – and it’s
contagious.
For more tips and fitness information follow Gary on:
www.facebook.com/3FPTraining
Mini Challenges
Start setting yourself achievable targets and goals
by visiting: www.tribesports.com – the site is free
and fun and you can link it to your phone via app
or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. It covers
all levels of sports and fitness and when you
complete the challenges you can measure your
personal success
Winter Super Foods
Fish
The vitamin D in fish
might help relieve
mood disorders by
increasing the amount
of serotonin - one of
the neurotransmitters
responsible for the
‘feel good factor’ in the
brain.
Eggs
Omega-3 fatty acids
found in eggs are
natural mood lifters and
may even help alleviate
depression and help to
keep your memory and
brain function sharp.
Wholegrains
Wheat, barley, oats, and
rice are known to be
important for overall
digestive and heart
health, and maintaining
healthy blood sugar
levels.
www.eatwell.gov.
uk/healthydiet/
nutritionessentials
News in brief
Keeping young people rail safe
Translink NI railways are working together
with the PSNI to remind young people and
their parents to always put safety first.
Some groups of young people are tempted to hang
around railway tracks or use them as shortcuts,
putting themselves and others at extreme risk of
serious accident.
Our trains are very quiet and run at speeds of up
to 90 mph and can be hard to hear until they are
very close-by, making it impossible to predict when
the next train will be running along the track.
Frank Moore, Northern Area Route Manager,
commented: “We want everyone to remember the
dangers and serious consequences of going near
railway tracks and urge parents to reinforce this
message to their children.”
Whitehead level crossing
Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Coordinator,
reports, “There have been a number of recent
incidents of misuse at the Whitehead pedestrian
crossing with people dashing across the tracks
while the red lights are illuminated and the warning
alarm is sounding.
Translink NIRailways teamed up with the
PSNI’s neighbourhood policing team to distribute
safety leaflets advising pedestrians of the risks at
Whitehead level crossing if not used correctly and
to encourage them to never take chances. We’ve
also carried out a mailing to residential addresses
in Whitehead. The activity is all part of our on-going
safety campaign to promote the safe use of level
crossings.”
PICTUrED: Frank Moore, Northern Area Route Manager
(left), and Keith Pollock, Level Crossing Risk Coordinator
(right), teamed up with the PSNI’s neighbourhood
policing team.
Jordanstown Park & Ride launched
A new Park & ride facility opened at
Jordanstown Train station in October.
Louise Sterritt, Project Manager, reported: “The
busy train station previously had no Park &
Ride facility so this new site will now provide
Translink NIRailways customers with parking
to accommodate 66 cars including 4 disabled
car parking spaces. Secure fencing, gates, new
lighting, signage and CCTV have also been
installed. The facility is easily accessible and there
is pedestrian access from the car park to the
station platform.”
The new Park & Ride facility will help to
accommodate growing passenger numbers
and alleviate traffic congestion in the area. It will
further benefit the local community and help to
attract more people to choose the train.
PICTUrED: (l-r) Pat Cleary, Cleary Contracting
Ltd, Louise Sterritt, Project Manager, and Frank
Moore, Northern Area Route Manager, on site during
construction of the new facility.
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