It's important to be active whatever age you are.  Even growing older doesn't have to mean less active!  Many people think it's natural to slow down and do less, simply because they are not as young as they used to be.  But for most of us this simply isn't true.

It's never too late or too early to become more active and you'll benefit even if you have been inactive until now.  The good news is that starting to be more active not only improves your health but also helps you cope better with the demands of everyday life.

Before we tell you why being active is so good for you, take 2 minutes to answer the following questions:

1. Would you like to feel healthier?
2. Would you like to reduce stress and lift your spirits?
3. Do you often feel you could do with an energy boost?
4. Do you feel self conscious about exercising?
5. Do you feel you don't have the right equipment?
6. Would you like to participate with others and have fun?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions then read on.

Did you know...

That the World Health Organisation recommends that adults should be doing 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week, just to maintain our general health.  A good guide to the term 'moderate' is that we should be slightly out of breath but still able to talk and feeling slightly warmer.

• Frequency:  5 days a week
• Intensity:  At a moderate intensity* - the equivalent of a brisk walk.

* Intensity is relative to an individual's fitness level; what is appropriate for one may be too slow or fast for another.

Why Is Physical Activity Good For Me?

Physical activity is the state of being active or is an energetic action or movement e.g. walking, swimming, playing with the children, gardening, cycling etc.  It is important because it keeps peoples bodies and minds healthy.  It is also great at making your heart stronger.  Depending on your lifestyle, always start off at a low level and gradually build on this e.g. from once to five times per week, 30 minutes each time.  This doesn't need to all be done at once; it can be broken down for example 3 x 10 minutes or 2 x 15 minutes sessions.

Will Being More Active Improve Fitness?

You can only become fitter and maintain fitness by being physically active regularly.  The more active you are, the fitter you could be and the better your body could work.  Did you know this could also help your muscles get stronger and help you to do more active things for longer.

Physical Activity Can Make You Feel Good

Being physically active is an excellent way to feel happy about yourself and give you more energy whether you’re exercising on your own or with a group.  There are also social benefits to being physically active e.g. meeting others with similar life issues or just plain having fun.

Final Thought

Think about the way in which you live your life and the choices you make. There is an active and an inactive way to do many everyday things, for example:

• The way you travel - every journey begins and ends with a walk
• How you go about your daily tasks at home, work or school
• The choices you make as you move around, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift

The opportunities to be active are yours for the taking. It doesn't matter what you do - walking, cycling, swimming, dancing or yoga as long as you do something. It is being active that counts!