Get active, have fun, feel good
Get active, have fun, feel good
Scots are being encouraged to get active and shake off the sick man of Europe tag in the run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Active Nation campaign is calling on all Scots to set their own Personal Activity Goal (PAG), however large or small, in a bid to get people moving and living a more active lifestyle.
Only 39 percent of Scottish adults are currently meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. Active Nation aims to help accelerate the progress towards achieving the national target to get 50 percent of Scottish adults and 80 percent of children up to the recommended levels of physical activity by 2022.
The Active Nation website lets you register your Personal Activity Goal (PAG), track your progress towards a fitter, healthier you and find local events and activities to get involved in. Families, schools and organisations can all join in too.
Physical activity is not just about pounding away on the treadmill at the gym - you can get active, have fun and feel good at the same time.
Why not take up some dance lessons with friends or head to the park with the kids and a Frisbee? Or you could join a local jogging club and enjoy exploring your area while getting active at the same time.
The good news is that inactive people that start to do moderate physical activity feel the biggest health benefits. Your health risks will decrease as soon as you start to do more.
Active Nation is part of A games legacy plan for Scotland which sets out the aim to deliver a lasting and positive legacy from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and other major sporting events, such as the International Children's Games in Lanarkshire in 2011 and the Olympic Games in 2012.
Using the spirit and excitement of the games, Active Nation is aiming to motivate Scots of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes to get more active and get more out of life, which in turn will deliver a lasting legacy which will benefit the whole country.
Set your Personal Activity Goal and find out more about physical activity at www.ouractivenation.co.uk
Top tips for getting started
- Set yourself a goal to build up to at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days a week. Moderate physical activity that makes you breathe more heavily than normal and makes you warmer.
- If 30 minutes is too much for you at the moment, build up slowly by starting with ten minutes activity at least three times a day and start slowly at a level that suits you, gradually building up the time and frequency until 30 minutes feels easier
- Everyone can benefit from getting physical - whatever your age, size or physical condition. Just remember that you are never too old or too unfit to start doing something.
- It's more fun with a friend. Why not get out for a walk with a mate and catch-up at the same time instead of sitting on the couch. Challenge each other to revisit your school-day favourites of football, netball or even skipping in the privacy of your own home.
- Get active for free. Forget fancy gym memberships, put on your trainers and go for a good walk. Check with your local council what activities they are running - lots of these don't cost a penny.
Audio Features
Listen again to our on air features for this Life Matters article. Click on the 'play' link next to one of the titles to play that item.
PLAY > LM Active Nation Part 1
PLAY > LM Active Nation Part 2
PLAY > LM Active Nation Part 3
PLAY > LM Active Nation Part 4
PLAY > LM Active Nation Part 5
PLAY > LM Active Nation Part 6
Comments
It is imperative that as a whole nation we try to do something for ourselves which will eventually reap health and welfare in the long term and excercise in any form is ideal to begin with.john macleod
totally agree and since settingup a company called the fun factor that goes to schools nurseries to promote helathy life styles i cant agree more , get active or get your school active !!!gilly