Change4life

change4life is a great new scheme which Argos is supporting to help UK families become fit and active. In order to maintain a healthy weight we need to both eat better and move more. 

Take a look at this page for some ideas on how to help your kids stay healthy by doing ’60 active minutes’ and encouraging them to get ‘up and about’

‘60 active minutes’

Kids need to do at least 60 minutes of activity a day to help them stay happy and healthy.  But it doesn’t have to be sport – running around and having fun outside count too!

Here are some ideas....

• Get on your bikes! Taking the kids on a bike ride is heaps of fun and gives the heart and lungs a good work-out too
• Have a go on a skipping rope
• Bounce on a trampoline
• How long can they keep a hula-hoop going for?
• Have a family Olympics - 3 legged races, egg & spoon, a sack race or a wheel barrow race. You could even take a picnic, have a BBQ or even better, team up with another family!
• Take a ball and bat to some open green space and play rounders
• Check out where the kids can swim for free at www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/sport .

 Print out the 60 active minutes ideas cards:
http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Documents/pdf/change4life_print_cards.pdf

‘Up and about’

The way life is today means that most of us spend too long sitting down doing nothing.  Not being active means our bodies don’t burn off enough fat, which leads to it storing up inside.

The solution is simple - get up! Simply being up, about and moving burns calories and helps fend off diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease or cancer.

Something as obvious as getting your kids up off the sofa will help. Encourage them to stop lying on the sofa or their bed, put down the phone from chatting to or texting their friends, turn off the TV or computer game and do something more active.

Here are some ideas to get you and the kids up and about....

• Try and walk whenever possible – if you are going to school or the shops, a simple race game between the lampposts not only gets them to the destination quicker and passes the time, but it also keeps them fit!
• Have a disco in the lounge with some of your CDs
• Play hide and seek
• Have a family Olympics - 3 legged races, egg & spoon, a sack race or a wheel barrow race. You could even take a picnic, have a BBQ or even better team up with another family!
• Take a ball and bat to some open green space and play rounders or badminton
• Make an obstacle course indoors or out. Jump over jumpers and zigzag around shoes

More ideas about getting up and about:
http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/MakeChangeUpandAbout.aspx

For loads more information and tips go to:
www.nhs.uk/change4life

‘Get bouncing’

Trampolining is a winner for fun and fitness. Even the smallest trampoline in your garden or house, is enough to get your heart pumping and your muscles working. For the more adventurous, check your local leisure centre, many offer trampolining classes - or go visit a friend who has one.

‘Grab your wheels’

Scooting, skate boarding, roller blading and cycling are all excellent ways to increase their active minutes. A bike ride before dinner is a great way to work up an appetite, or encourage them to use their own wheels to get to school instead of the bus.

‘Have a good splash about’

Swimming is a great way for families to get moving and have fun together. Being in the water helps us be more active and stay healthy, and is also a great way to unwind and have lots of fun.

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