Physical Activity

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What you can do and where to get help and information

What is physical activity?

Being physically active involves moving your body and using energy (expressed in kilocalories, Kcals) at an intensity that makes you warm and breathe a bit heavier than usual (such as brisk walking). Physical activity improves your physical and mental health.  It is one of the most important factors in maintaining a good quality of life.

What you can do?

• Try taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle, which could include everyday activities.  There are many types of physical activity: walking, housework, gardening, playing with children, washing the car, climbing the stairs, dancing as well as exercise (such as swimming or cycling).
• It is never too late to start and you can build up gradually to the following recommended levels of activity slowly:
  • Adults should work towards a lifestyle of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week.
  • Children should build up 1 hour or more of moderate physical activity every day.
• You don’t need to do all your physical activity in one go. Some people find short bursts of physical activity easier than 30 minutes of continuous activity.   
• Try choosing regular physical activity in the form of walking or cycling for your everyday trips.  It’s a great way to fit regular physical activity into your daily active lifestyle. If your trip out is less than a mile or so, for example, try walking some of the way.
• To encourage your children to be active try the following:
  • Make activity fun doing something your child really enjoys
  • Encourage your child to spend more time outdoors – invite friends over
  • Encourage them to walk to school or walk with them to school
  • Get the whole family active – walks, rides, playing in the garden.
  • Limit TV, video game and computer time.

What are the benefits of physical activity?

When it comes to healthy living, the good news is that as soon as you begin regular physical activity you’ll feel the benefits of a healthier lifestyle immediately !

Evidence shows that active people have:

• a longer life
• less risk of developing many diseases
• greater well-being - the feel-good factor!
• less anxiety and depression
• less stress - physical activity helps people relax
• lower rates of smoking and substance misuse
• greater ability to function at work and home. This can also lead to greater independence in later life as active people are able to cope with daily tasks more easily
• improved sleep
• better maintenance of a healthy weight
• increased social opportunities - you meet more people and develop friends

What Kingston Council and partners are doing

One of Kingston's Local Area Agreements is to increase the number of over 45s who participate in sport or exercise related activity (e.g. walking briskly, cycling, swimming, keep fit/aerobics, team sports, individual sports) at least 3 times per week for at least 30 minutes continuously in the last 12 months. To support we will be improving the awareness and availability of opportunities for physical activity.

Actions to promote physical activity throughout the borough are an important part of the local obesity strategy. One of the key objectives of the strategy is to promote an environment in Kingston where physical activity and healthy eating are the norm.