Everyone is different; we all have different lifestyles, habits, abilities which affect our choice of activities. Find out the benefits of activity and how to make small changes to fit into your lifestyle. Be inspired, motivated to get involved have fun and stay healthy.
Why should I be active?
Physical activity can help you lead a healthier and happier life. Staying active and regularly exercising can provide lots of benefits.
- Reduces risk of a range of diseases, e.g. coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Improves self-esteem
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Feel more confident
- Sleep better
- Meet new people
- Time with friends and family
- Manage your weight
What is physical activity?
As a guide adults should be active for 150 minutes per week. Things like vigorous housework or gardening can count as exercise, so can a brisk walk.
Any activity we do should:
- last for over 10 minutes
- make you breathe heavy
- increase your heart rate
- make you feel warmer
How active should I be and where do I start?
We understand that taking the first step is the hardest, it is important you find an activity that is right for you.
If you are not active at the moment start small and build up your activity by doing at least 10 minutes of activity where you can this can still provide benefits. Then aim to build up the 10 minutes to 3 or more days a week. When you start to gain confidence in your activity work your way up to half an hour or more on each activity overall aiming to get to 2 and a half hours across the week.
Start by incorporating activity into your daily life
- Take the stairs, not the lift
- Park further away and walk to your destination
- If you eat your lunch at your desk take a 10-minute walk first or take a walk after your lunch
- Set weekly activity goals
Find out more on how to get 10 minutes into your day through the 10-minute motivators page
Does exercise help you lose weight?
Exercise alone does not necessarily make you lose weight, but it will help you to slim and reshape your body by decreasing fat and increasing muscle.
Remember that exercising does not always lead to weight loss as muscle weighs more than fat, but your body will be more toned and slimmer and you will fit into your clothes better. Exercise is also an excellent way to relieve stress and tension.
What’s stopping you?
Most people think of reasons they cannot be active rather than the positives that are often found when regularly active. Don’t let past memories, illness or low motivation stop you. You need to think YES I can get active.
Once you begin to increase your activity you will feel the benefits and start to fit activity regularly into your daily routine.