New app helps Jason focus on active travel
Published: Tuesday 29 August 2023
An East Kilbride resident has embraced a campaign to help people across South Lanarkshire engage in a more active lifestyle.
Jason Lang has been using BetterPoints after being recommended by a friend.
It has contributed to his journey from being told he had to make changes to his health by a doctor, to planning a Lands End to John O'Groats cycle next year.
Here is what he said about using the app: “Think, Move, Breathe has helped me to become much more mindful of trying to travel actively. I pretty much never use the car now unless I really have to. All my journeys to the shop and other errands are now done by bike, and I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt at 46 years old.
“I had a health scare during Covid, where I got unwell and ended up in hospital and was on my back for 6 months. My heart had been particularly affected which led to me putting weight on, getting the early signs of non-alcoholic liver disease and my blood pressure being extremely high. It got to the point where my doctor said I had to make a change.
“I started out with walking short distances and increasing speed and distance over a couple of weeks. Then I got a bike and started building up cycling miles. I’d slowly keep parking further and further away as I built up my fitness. Over the course of 2 to 3 months, I ended up cycling 25 miles a day, and I’ve continued to build that up.
“By making these changes, I’ve lost 20kg and all of my health indicators have returned to normal. After I've cycled I feel more alert and energetic than I was. I’m up earlier and from a mental health point of view I now enjoy my commute and feel happy to be doing it, whereas in the car it was a chore.
“I’ve now become a bit of a cycling fanatic, I’ve upgraded my bike and signed up to a 209km long-distance cycling event out of the west of Glasgow along the Clyde Coast at the weekend, which will be my longest so far. Next year I’m aiming to do Lands End to John O’Groats.
“My favourite feature of the BetterPoints app is being able to see my journeys, and it’s the first app I’ve had to also show me emissions savings which is a huge motivator. Seeing the environmental benefits as well as health are an extra incentive on days when I'm not feeling up for it. I’ve got a wee competition running with my friend on the app to get the cup each week too for an extra boost.
“On the app, I’ve discovered some really nice routes going south towards Strathaven and Darvel, and some gravel routes near the wind farms at Whitelees. Although I haven’t spent any BetterPoints yet, I’ll probably just use them on more things for my bike to be honest!”
Well done to Jason, by sharing his story he is BetterPoints Think, Move, Breathe Leave the Car Star.
If you haven’t signed up to the Think, Move, Breathe campaign, take the baseline survey and start earning rewards by visiting the website.
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