January.
With three months left until the Irish Heart Foundation’s big fundraising event ‘active afternoon’, there is still time to plan ahead and feel the benefits of getting active by starting today. For the next few weeks the Irish Heart Foundation will be providing information, tips and goals to get you thinking about being more active and eating more healthily.
Reap the benefits: Being active makes you look and feel good. Your risk of getting many diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers are reduced if you build activity into your lifestyle. Consult your GP if you feel unwell or have pain when you are physically active.
Start slowly: If you haven’t been active for a while, listen to your body and build up gradually to at least 30 minutes of activity five days a week.
Moderate activity: Your activity must be at least at a moderate pace to get most health benefits; you should feel an increase in your breathing and heart rate, like a brisk walk.
Walk the walk: Set yourself goals which are achievable; walk during lunchtime three to five times a week.
Burn it off: 30 minutes of moderate activity burns about 200 calories a day. To burn off even more burn build up to 60 minutes of activity.
Move more: Think about ways of moving more throughout your working day- take the stairs, walk to your colleagues’ desk, use the toilet furthest away.
Your five goals for this week
- Take the stairs instead of the lift
- Get off the bus, train etc a few stops earlier
- Walk to the furthest bathroom from your desk
- Walk to talk instead of emailing or phoning
- Take a walk during lunchtime three days a week
Every second week until Charity Day 20th April, our charity partners, Irish Heart Foundation and Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke will be offering you an activity update to help you discover a fitter you.