It's International Fitness Week
This week is International Fitness Week so in order to celebrate the wonderful world of fitness, let’s have a look at what us Australian’s are doing, or not doing.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the majority of adults are not doing enough physical activity. It is recommended that we undertake a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This is split between 5 or more sessions, allowing for 2 rest days. In a survey conducted in 2011-2012, findings show that 43% of Australian adults met this guideline – that is less than half!
Not sure about you but that concerns me.
It concerns me because as adults, we are mentors and role models to the younger generation and if we are not having physical activity in our lives, how can we encourage our youth? Let’s talk some figures here found in 2011-2012 ABS Health Survey:
Almost 2 in 3 (63%)
1 in 4 (25%)
15%
What do these figures mean?
1. Number of overweight and obese adults aged over 18 years.
Next time you sit in a restaurant or have dinner party, have a look around you and do a count. In a family of 3,group of 3 friends, 3 neighbours, a team of 3 in an office. The physical signs may not be there but just consider the numbers.
2. Number of overweight and obese children.
This indicates one quarter of the up and coming generation! Not good Australia – not good at all.
3. The number of overweight and obese people living in regional and/or rural locations as opposed to major city areas. Is this because of stress, boredom, lifestyle, access to facilities, laziness? Whatever the reason something needs to be done.
So what do we do about it?
MOVE MORE
EAT WELL
It’s that simple really
MOVE MORE
~ Park further away from the front door of the shopping centre and walk
~ Walk or cycle instead of drive/use public transport
~ Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator (unless they are alarmed, be sure to check with
building management before use)
~ If using public transport, get off one stop before your stop and walk the rest of the way
~ Get out into the fresh air for lunch, don’t eat at your desk. Great for mental health as well!
~ Schedule a walking and talking meeting instead of sitting in an office
~ Try a new activity: dance, sport, swimming, indoor rock climbing, martial arts
EAT WELL
~ Buy fresh and not packaged
~ Look at the labels. It may surprise you but full fat milk is better for you than skim/light milks.
Compare the labels, specifically looking at the sugar and sodium (salt) levels. Yes the fat levels
are different but the good fats are taken away and excess sugar pumped in.
~ Make and grow your own. At least you know what you are putting into your body and the bodies
of our younger generation. Saves you $$$ as well!
~ Cut out refined goods. Sugar and Honey good examples if you need to take ‘baby steps’ in
terms of cutting out sweeteners.
Sugar: White – heavily refined and who knows what’s in it
Brown – refined with molasses (refined sweenter)
Rapadura – unrefined yet still has a sweet taste
Fruit – natural sweetener if you have a sweet tooth. Have a price of fruit instead of a
sugary biscuit or chocolate.
Honey: Commercial – the honey is heated therefore all of the natural goodness is ripped out of
product. All you are left with is the products injected into the honey to make the tastes
different.
Raw – unrefined, pure goodness. Not heat treated and mostly straight from the hive.
~ Buy organic as much as you can. Visit farmers markets and talk to the farmers on what they do in terms of pest control and fertilisation. If you can’t find a market near you or cannot grow your own, check out the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists to get a guideline of what is okay and what is a definite no-no when purchasing from commercial outlets.
To finish off, if you need a bit of inspiration; a bit of a kick start – visit the Health and Fitness Expos this month. Sydney is next weekend before it heads to Brisbane the following weekend.
If you are a LastTix member receive upto 30% off ticket entry or use the codeward RADIO for $5 off to Sydney’s Expo
Important note:
When starting something new, always seek advice and approval from your medical practitioner
To read more visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Department of Health
Enjoy your week and GET ACTIVE
Txx
