Life is so busy these days where quality time and getting active with your family is hard. Fitting in the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity can sometimes be a challenge. Why not multitask and get active with your family! Being active with your partner, your children or grandchildren might just be the motivation you need, and the key to a healthier you.

Family Fitness Tips

• Have a family conference and decide what activities you might like to do together, make a plan and write them on your calendar. Make sure you schedule in active family time every week.
• When giving presents give ‘active presents’ that can be used by the whole family.
• Set family activity goals. Giving yourselves something to aim for can help with motivation, for example you might aim to complete the City to Surf, Bridge to Brisbane or go in a local fun run or walk as a family.
• Set a good example. Be a role model for your children or grandchildren and be active in as many ways as you can every day.
• Decide what your family exercise style is and increase the likelihood that your family stays active. Are you interested in individual activities, playing team sports, exercising at home or do you prefer to exercise as part of a class?
• Have a wet weather plan. Have back up games ready to go when the weather is poor.

Get Outside

• Get close to nature. Go bushwalking, explore a national park. Check out your local Council website for interesting walks close to where you live.
• Go for a bike ride together.
• Take a trip to the beach.
• Play at the park.

Be a ‘Local’ Tourist

• Check out your local Council website or visitors centre for free or low cost activities.
• Take advantage of the walks and cycle paths in your local area.

Focus on Fun

• Join a local sporting group, enter a family team.
• Play hide and seek.
• Throw a Frisbee.
• Fly a kite.
• Use a trampoline.

Make Activity Purposeful and Functional

• Use activity to accomplish a task like walking to the shops or taking the dog for a walk.
• Start a vegetable patch and get active in your garden.
• Complete yard work as a family.
• Ride to the post office or to a picnic spot for lunch.

Active Gaming

• If your family enjoys playing video games then why not try ‘active gaming’ such as Wii Fit. Technology might just be the solution to getting you active on those rainy/hot days.

Lastly, research shows that people who feel they are supported by their family to be more active and who are surrounded by others interested in physical activity are more likely to participate. Remember that a family who is active together, stays healthy together.