SUMMER TIPS TO GET FIT
M is for: Make the most of your garden
Getting fit doesn’t have to mean fancy gyms that come with a price-tag – and you don’t have to be a sports billy either!
Simply step outside and think of your garden as your exercise arena! Digging, weeding, planting and raking all count as physical activity – and not only will the neighbours be envying your prized petunias but they’ll admiring your toned up figure too!
If you don’t have a garden, it might be worth looking into volunteering projects. There’s plenty of conservation projects which are crying out for people like you to give up their free time.
And if the weather's kind, you might even get some sunshine, which is our primary source of immunity-boosting vitamin D. Just remember to slap on the suntan lotion!
There are few better holistic exercises than those provided by nurturing flowerbeds and maintaining herbaceous borders!
Non-stop gardening will burn about 3.2 calories per pound of body weight per hour, which adds up to about 450 calories for a gardener weighing in at 10st.
M is for...March down to your local pool
Oh the dear old British weather – if we’re not complaining about the rain, we’re moaning it’s too hot. If it’s the latter, maybe it’s time to cool off and have a splash in your local pool.
Swimming is one of the best all-round exercises! It builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. And, if you’re under 16 or over 60, you can also swim for free – The Welsh Assembly Government is funding free swimming in Wales for:
- Children and young people aged 16 and under during all school holidays; and
- Older People aged 60 and over outside school holidays.
Some local authorities have even extended the scheme to provide 60+ Free Swimming all year around.
And, if you get bored of swimming up and down - set yourself sessions, using different strokes and you’ll reap even better rewards. Or maybe become a real waterbaby and try our snorkelling, aqua-aerobics or kayaking.
