A recent Access Economics analysis commissioned by Diabetes Australia, revealed that the obesity epidemic is costing workplaces, hospitals and taxpayers $58 billion as year which is almost three times more than it did in 2005.

This latest research fuels Fernwood Women’s Health Clubs commitment to helping women to reduce their waistlines and become fitter and healthier and reverse the risk of developing serious health problems, disabilities and premature dealth.

The report also showed a 137 per cent increase in cases of type 2 diabetes with more than 240,000 Australians now suffering from the disease. If we don’t do something to halt this escalating problem, health experts warn that the costs and consequence of our expanding waistlines will double in the next 10 years.

Not only is our weight costing the nation billions, but it is leading many of us to early deaths as a result of chronic diseases include not only type 2 diabetes, but also heart disease and cancer.

On the flip side, there is something that we can do to turn this dire state of affairs around. Diabetes Australia’s national president Dr Gary Deed says Australians should take these startling figures as a wake up call. “We need to make fundamental changes in the way we live to arrest the escalating crisis.”

Fernwood knows just how hard it is to do it alone and that’s why they embrace a holistic approach to weight loss that includes personal trainers, motivators and access to a weight management program that has a proven success record.

Diana Williams and Fernwood have promoted the importance of strength training for women for the past two decades.

The most recent exercise recommendations for adults based on the latest scientific research includes strength training as a “need to do” activity for all adults and most importantly, women.

To promote and maintain health, all healthy adults aged 18 to 65 years of age need to:-

• Do moderately intense cardio 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week or do vigorously intense cardio 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week
• Do 8-10 strength training exercises, 8-12 repetitions