BodyMatters is all about healthy attitudes beliefs and behaviours toward exercise and being physical. We take on a flexible approach to exercise, meaning it is okay to skip exercise to do something else. Our mantra is that exercise is about moving for enjoyment, being social with others and having a fun time. In a few weeks’ time, we will be doing the Color Run to raise money for The Butterfly Foundation – donations can be made here.
To help our readers get some inspiration to move more without overdoing it at the gym, we’ve come up with some ideas:
- Do one of Sydney’s many scenic walks with friends – think the Bondi to Bronte walk, Spit Bridge to Manly, or the Bay Run
- Go exploring – we live in an amazing city that has so many hidden gems. Wendy’s Secret Garden is an inner city treasure on the lower north shore
- Find your own private beach – many of Sydney’s beaches that don’t include metered parking and cars for miles require going on foot. The result? A beach for you and your friends to swim and sun on your own
- Head to the Sydney Festival’s Beach at The Cutaway (Barrangaroo Reserve) to jump in their giant ball pit (a big kids dream!)
- Play Frisbee golf at Newington Armory
- Get your kids involved by dancing together in the lounge room to their favourite music
- Walk to your local viewing spot and watch the sunrise
- Get your friends together and do a Zumba or Aerobics Oz Style DVD together – leotard and leg warmers are encouraged
- Use the stairs where possible as opposed to the elevator
- Go to an aqua aerobics class with your grandparent/s for some bonding time
- Strap on some rollerblades and ride along the waterfront of the harbour
- Hire a tandem bike to ride and picnic with your partner through Centennial Parklands
- Do a stand up paddleboard class early in the morning before the harbour traffic begins
- Head to Taronga Zoo to their newest attraction Wild Ropes for a high flying experience around the animals
- Shoot some hoops at the local park or in your backyard
- Visit one of the local baths to do some laps
- Hire a canoe or kayak to explore the waterways of Sydney
- Channel your inner Beyoncé with local dance studios doing music video workshops
- Take your dog for a walk and play at your local beach or park
- Visit an art gallery or museum
- Take the opportunity to get some major chores done e.g. cleaning up the garage, mowing the lawn, de-cluttering storage or sorting out the dreaded linen cupboard
- Stretch to relieve any aches and pains from sitting during your workday
- Buy tickets to an upcoming concert and dance your heart out!
- Mini golf for a great date idea
- Play lawn games – there are great games out there including totem tennis, grip ball, finska, crochet and bocce
- Wash the car
- Play active video games
- Plant a garden
- Do social bowling
- Join a sports team
Are there any that we’ve missed? We would love to hear your ideas on how you move throughout the day.