Pilbara Health

Being more active is about making small changes in your life and, as you get used to them, gradually adding more changes and activities.

Your lifestyle can have a major impact on your health and wellbeing. Regular physical activity and healthy eating helps to maintain good health, prevent obesity, and can also help protect against heart
disease, type-2 diabetes and some cancers.

Adults should try to include a minimum 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity – such as brisk walking – into their lives each day.

But you don't have to do it all at once... a few shorter sessions of 10 to 15 minutes can be accumulated across the day. Short bouts of activity, when added together, can be even more effective in improving factors such as blood pressure, blood cholesterol and metabolism.

Four steps can help you achieve better health:

STEP 1: Think of movement as an opportunity, not an inconvenience.
STEP 2: Be active every day, in as many ways as you can.
STEP 3: Do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days. Make it an appointment for each day.
STEP 4: If you can, also enjoy some regular, vigorous activity for extra health and fitness, such as playing sport.

Getting started can often be the most difficult hurdle to overcome, so write down a starting date and make sure you stick to it, then set some short-term and long-term goals.
Maintaining momentum is the second biggest challenge, so keep in mind these handy tips:

• Buy a pedometer to count how many steps you take.
• Avoid short trips in the car and walk or cycle instead.
• Play actively with your children: kick a footy, jump on the trampoline or go for a bushwalk.
• Keep a pair of walking or running shoes in the car so you're always ready for a walk or run.
• Start a walking group with colleagues and friends and stick to a routine.
• Go for a short walk during your lunch break.