Respect Your Body - Looking after your physical Wellbeing.

I have spent much of my adult life loving sport and specifically #Rugby. I have played since I was 11 finally quitting full time club rugby in 2019 at the age of 55. Although when I say retired - I only mean to Touch Rugby and the odd charity game. I have not quite given up the unique feeling I get from playing. However, I realise I am not completely normal or average in maintaining this lifestyle. I recognised several years ago whilst an MP that despite my love for sport, it isn’t for everybody and we need a completely different narrative if we are to turn the tide of inactivity that is slowly killing us!

So hopefully here in this series of Mini Blogs I can encourage you to find something that works and is ability and age appropriate. Most of the updates will come via the Sports Think Tank I founded. I will aim to promote sport, physical activity and wellbeing. But here I can share my own story, and the inspiration of others who have been on a similar journey. I will try to avoid being judgemental. But we all need to look at how we can find ways to stay as active as long as possible if we are to age well. As you will have seen from the Blogs on Ikigai Health and Activity remain integral to the balanced happy long life of the Japanese. I would urge us in the West to take the same care of ourselves.

We can journey together on this path to looking after our wellbeing without being judgemental. I am far from the fittest 55 year old I know. And one of my inspirations over the last couple of years has been friend, fromer MP and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson. You can find out more Tom and his story in this new venture in 2020…. Here.