About Being Active

What is ‘Being Active’ (Pushing Play)

Being Active is defined as doing at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on at least 5 days of the week.

Why Be Active (Push Play)

Over the last 100 years social, environmental, and technological changes have dramatically reduced the amount of activity we engage in as part of our everyday life.

An increase in sedentary behaviour at work and at home, passive modes of transport, and less participation in leisure time activity have all contributed to our current lifestyle that can be inactive to the point of damaging our health.

Diseases associated with physical inactivity eg. Cardiovascular disease, type II Diabetes, obesity; are now considered the greatest public health problem in most countries around the world. The New Zealand Ministry of Health estimating that a 10% increase in activity could result in 600 fewer deaths / year and save $55 million through reduced health expenditure, years of life and decreased incapacity.

So being active is one of the best things we can do to improve or maintain our physical, mental and social well being.

“If all the benefits of physical activity could be put into a pill, EVERYONE would take it!”

How to Be More Active

Increase the activity you do in your day – See Incidental activity below.
Participate in an activity or sport you enjoy, join an activity class and make it a habit – See Structured activity below.
Get support or help to get started. See Green Prescription

What’s On in Your Area

For ideas on what’s on in your area go to www.activecanterbury.org.nz or phone 0800 ACTIVE (22 84 83)

Hot Tips for Being More Active

Make it FUN. Choose something you enjoy, and will be easy to keep up.
Set a realistic goal and reward yourself along the way. View every chance to move as an opportunity not an inconvenience
Having the attitude where every chance to move are celebrated rather than a nuisance is a great start!
Be Active in as many ways possible every day
Incorporate it into your everyday life
Snack on activity eg. 3 short sessions, are as good as one long one, so the benefits of being active can be built up over the day
Put together at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week
If possible add some vigorous activity for extra health benefit and fitness

Incidental Activity
Getting active can be as simple as increasing the amount of activity you include in your normal day. Even small increases in activity will benefit your health.

Examples of Incidental Activity

Take the stairs instead of the lift
Walk to the shops rather than drive
Get off the bus early or park further away and walk
Doing extra chores around the house and garden
Wash your car by hand
Walk the kids to school
Meet a friend for a walk instead of a coffee

Any Activity is better than none and more activity is better than a little

Structured activity
Participating in a sport, regular exercise or activity group can be a fun way of increasing your activity. It can be an opportunity to try something new, and enjoy the motivation and enthusiasm of others while making exercise a regular habit.

Examples of Structured Activity
Walking, swimming, kappa haka, gardening, biking, tai chi, yoga, pilates, bowls, dance, gardening, gym, sport, seated exercises….. The list is endless