Get Active More Often

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Get Active More Often

Story author

Premier's Active April team

Have you ever noticed you spend a lot of time sitting down – at the computer, watching TV, in meetings, drinking coffee and sharing on social media?

Sedentary behaviour or being physically inactive has become increasingly common in our daily lives. More than 26 per cent of us sit for at least eight hours a day. In recent years, a growing body of research has linked sedentary behaviour with obesity, diabetes, heart and kidney diseases and premature death. The statistics for obesity alone are alarming – 61 per cent of us in Victoria are now either overweight or obese.

Researchers are still trying to understand exactly why sedentary behaviour has such a negative effect on our health. It appears related to how our bodies process fats and sugars and the enzymes involved in this process are released when certain muscles contract during standing and other activities. When you sit down for long periods the production and activity of these enzymes appears to slow down. So we know that physical activity is good for us. However, knowing and doing can sometimes be entirely different things.

Premier’s Active April challenges all Victorians to get more active, more often, and do 30 minutes of activity a day during April.

It that may be anything from going for a run or kicking a footy to taking the dog for a walk or doing some gardening – anything that gets the heart rate moving a bit quicker is good for us. Premier’s Active April will help you get started. It can be hard to keep motivated and all kinds of barriers can get in the way. Here are 10 tips to help you stay active all year round:

Make being active enjoyable. Pick an activity, or range of activities that appeal to you, since you’re more likely to keep to a plan if you like it.
Choose activities that suit your lifestyle. Consider your budget, physical abilities and amount of free time.
Check out local options. Opportunities to be active in your neighbourhood may include leisure centres, sports clubs, parks, walking trails, swimming pools or exercise classes.
Make physical activity 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 indoors to your local swimming pool or gym.
Keep some exercise equipment at home. Options include exercise DVDs, a stationary bike, skipping rope or fitness ball.
Have fun getting physical. Go dancing, fly a kite, throw a frisbee or swim in the sea – you’re not limited to sports and structured exercise programs.
Get active around the house. Housework, washing the dog and gardening all burn calories and help keep you physically active.
Look for incidental ways to move your body every day. For example, walk or cycle to the local shops instead of driving the car. Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.
Involve the whole family. Arrange for outings that are physically active, such as walking the dog, rowing or hiking.

Get Active More Often

Have you ever noticed you spend a lot of time sitting down – at the computer, watching TV, in meetings, drinking coffee and sharing on social media?

Premier’s Active April challenges all Victorians to get more active, more often, and do 30 minutes of activity a day during April.

Make being active enjoyable. Pick an activity, or range of activities that appeal to you, since you’re more likely to keep to a plan if you like it.

Choose activities that suit your lifestyle. Consider your budget, physical abilities and amount of free time.

Check out local options. Opportunities to be active in your neighbourhood may include leisure centres, sports clubs, parks, walking trails, swimming pools or exercise classes.

Make physical activity 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 indoors to your local swimming pool or gym.

Keep some exercise equipment at home. Options include exercise DVDs, a stationary bike, skipping rope or fitness ball.

Have fun getting physical. Go dancing, fly a kite, throw a frisbee or swim in the sea – you’re not limited to sports and structured exercise programs.

Get active around the house. Housework, washing the dog and gardening all burn calories and help keep you physically active.

Look for incidental ways to move your body every day. For example, walk or cycle to the local shops instead of driving the car. Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.

Involve the whole family. Arrange for outings that are physically active, such as walking the dog, rowing or hiking.

For more information on Premier’s Active April visit: www.activeapril.vic.gov.au