‘Everyone should invest in themselves and their health’

A CLINICAL Exercise Physiologist Ciara McCormack from Walterstown outside Navan has made her own distinctive contribution during lockdown by developing a six-week 'Stay-At-Home Wellness' programme aimed at improving the health of people, without them having to move outside their homes.

A graduate of Sports Science and Health, DCU and a PhD researcher specialising in primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases, McCormack is also a Cardiac Exercise Specialist.

She has also set up her own company Health Focus Ireland “with the goal of educating, informing and providing individuals and community groups with the tools, knowledge and skills to help them build sustainable and healthy lifestyles with exercise and physical activity as a core component.”

Those who take part in McCormack's 'Stay-At-Home Wellness' programme are tutored through weekly webinars focusing on different aspects of health, or “stepping stones” such as habit building, nutrition, sleep and stress management. Also included are exercise classes which, she adds, are “suitable for all levels and abilities.”

The first six-week block of the programme proved very successful and now registration for the second block is open which begins on Monday 8th March.

“The aim of the programme is to give everyone an opportunity to take time for themselves, to invest in their health, to create sustainable long-term healthy habits, to ultimately prevent a chronic disease and improve their quality of life,” she adds.

During the six weeks of the course, McCormack offers continuous support and engagement with the group. “Due to the success of the first block which has just finished, a new block will begin Monday 8th March and with lockdown extended this is a great opportunity for people to take part and take time to improve their health. The first block attracted men and woman aged from 35 to 63 years of age, so it really is for everyone!”

She adds: “I am a strong believer in movement as a medicine and I really enjoy working collaboratively to achieve strong and successful outcomes. My passion and focus now lies in the area of health promotion and primary and secondary prevention of chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and obesity.

“I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have access to the tools, knowledge and support needed to develop healthy longterm sustainable habits and so this programme is a excellent starting part for people to make that change in an affordable way.'

Ciara McCormack has also partnered with the Credit Union to launch a new joint initiative aimed at improving health and well-being. The initiative is called 'CU Wellness' and she is the Health Coach leading it. Those who are members of the Credit Union can avail of the six-week programme for €55.

The programme is open to members and non-members and people can book a place on this and other courses such as her over 50’ exercise classes by contacting Ciara directly on info@healthfocusireland.ie, her social media platforms or at www.healthfocusireland.ie.