SPORT -
| 2013-08-13Stay active year round
Stay active
It’s easy to make a resolution to get fit but staying active in all seasons can be a challenge. It can be hard to keep motivated and all kinds of barriers can get in the way of exercise.
Here are some tips to help you stay active all year round.
• Make getting fit enjoyable. Pick an activity (or range of activities) that appeals to you, since you’re more likely to keep to an exercise plan if you like it.
• Choose activities that suit your lifestyle. Consider your budget, physical abilities and amount of free time.
• Check out local exercise options. Opportunities to be active in your neighbourhood may include leisure centres, sports clubs, parks, walking trails, swimming pools, dance groups or exercise classes.
• Make exercise a social event. Find a friend or family member to be active with so you can motivate and reward each other, or make some new friends through a class or club.
• Plan ahead for bad weather. Head to your local swimming pool or gym to exercise indoors.
• Keep some exercise equipment at home. Options include aerobics DVDs, stationary bike, skipping rope or fitness ball.
• Have fun getting physical. Go dancing, fly a kite, throw a frisbee or swim – you’re not limited to sports and structured exercise programmes.
• Get active around the house. Housework, washing the dog and gardening are all physical activities that burn calories and help keep you fit.
• Look for incidental ways to move your body every day. For example, walk or cycle to the local shops instead of driving in a car. Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.
• Involve the whole family in keeping fit. Arrange for outings that are physically active such as walking the dog or hiking.
– betterhealth.vic.gov.au
• Make getting fit enjoyable. Pick an activity (or range of activities) that appeals to you, since you’re more likely to keep to an exercise plan if you like it.
• Choose activities that suit your lifestyle. Consider your budget, physical abilities and amount of free time.
• Check out local exercise options. Opportunities to be active in your neighbourhood may include leisure centres, sports clubs, parks, walking trails, swimming pools, dance groups or exercise classes.
• Make exercise a social event. Find a friend or family member to be active with so you can motivate and reward each other, or make some new friends through a class or club.
• Plan ahead for bad weather. Head to your local swimming pool or gym to exercise indoors.
• Keep some exercise equipment at home. Options include aerobics DVDs, stationary bike, skipping rope or fitness ball.
• Have fun getting physical. Go dancing, fly a kite, throw a frisbee or swim – you’re not limited to sports and structured exercise programmes.
• Get active around the house. Housework, washing the dog and gardening are all physical activities that burn calories and help keep you fit.
• Look for incidental ways to move your body every day. For example, walk or cycle to the local shops instead of driving in a car. Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.
• Involve the whole family in keeping fit. Arrange for outings that are physically active such as walking the dog or hiking.
– betterhealth.vic.gov.au
