Some of the countries leading female MPs have signed up to take part in a fitness scheme launched today by the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) to demonstrate how busy women can fit regular exercise into their crowded lifestyles.

Tessa Jowell, Meg Munn, Jo Swinson and Barbara Keeley are four of the twelve MPs and MSPs taking part in the three month fitness and exercise mentoring programme, which is being funded by Scottish Widows. The MPs will have a tailored exercise plan and one-to-one fitness sessions twice a week at their local gyms.  WSFF will also support them to take up any additional sports or activities. 

The programme is being launched as a result of findings from the It’s time report which found 81% of women aren’t doing enough sport or exercise to benefit their health.  A key barrier to this is increasingly busy lifestyles with competing demands.

Throughout the project the MPs will feedback their experiences, both positive and negative, to help deepen the understanding of the issue at a time when the government is conducting a review of its physical activity strategy.

Commenting on the initiative Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympics and London said: “As with most women my work schedule is hectic.  By taking part in the WSFF programme I am hoping to improve my fitness and to prove to myself and other busy women that regular exercise can be incorporated into our lives. With London 2012 on the horizon it is the perfect time to encourage women to enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle”

Cameron Walker, Director of Corporate Communications, Scottish Widows said: “As Official Pensions and Investment Provider of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games we are proud to support the work of WSFF to raise the profile of women in sport.  Our customers understand that if you want to be successful tomorrow, you have to prepare today and this applies physically as well as financially.  We wish our MP and MSP’s every success.  They set a great example for other women across the UK who want to take steps towards securing a healthy and financially secure future.”

“It is worrying how few women are doing enough exercise to benefit their health” said Sue Tibballs, Chief Executive of WSFF. “Physical activity is not only beneficial to physical health, but also to mental health. Women who make activity integral to their lives report higher levels of confidence and self-esteem.  We hope that this project will highlight these issues and encourage other busy women to make positive changes to their lifestyles.”

MPs and MSPs taking part include:

MPs

Tessa Jowell – Minister for the Olympics

Janet Anderson – Labour Minister of Parliament for Rossendale and Darwen

Meg Munn – Member of Parliament for Sheffield

Lynda Waltho – MP for Stourbridge

Barbara Keeley – MP for Worsley

Jo Swinson – MP for East Dunbartonshire

Anne Milton – MP for Guildford

Sandra Gidley – MP for Romsey

MSPs

Angela Constance – MSP for Livingston

Margaret Mitchell – MSP for Central Scotland

Margaret Curran – MSP for Glasgow Baillieston

Alison McInnes – MSP for North East Scotland