Physical Activity – Getting Started

Public Health Agency

Tips on increasing your physical activity

  • Try to find an activity that you enjoy as you are then more likely to continue doing it.
  • Get active with a friend or a family member, this can motivate you to start and stay active.
  • Try walking or cycling for either part of, or your entire, daily commute. If you are working from home aim for a walk before or after work, or during lunchtime.
  • If you have to drive or take the bus, park the car a little further away from your destination or hop off the bus a stop or two earlier and walk the rest of the way.
  • When you’re out and about take the stairs instead of the lift to get your legs moving.
  • Make activity part of your daily routine, break up long periods of inactivity during the day by getting active in shorter bursts. A 10-minute brisk walk adds to your recommended physical activity target and will help you feel better.
  • When you get home in the evening, instead of spending the evening in front of the TV, get active. Get the kids involved too and go to the park with them on their bikes or for a kick about with the football.
  • Play active games with the kids, dance, go into the garden if you've got one.
  • Consider joining a local walking group. See www.pha.site/WalkingGroups for info.
  • Try to find out what activity clubs and programmes are in your area, whether its sports, recreational, social or programme based, most communities will have a range of local clubs and programmes that can help you get active locally in fun and social environments.  
  • Try some short workouts at home, the NHS Live Well website offers advice about healthy living, including eating a balanced diet, healthy weight, exercise, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol, visit www.nhs.uk/live-well  

For more tips and advice on getting active, setting yourself achievable targets and eating healthier, visit www.ChooseToLiveBetter.com

Useful resources

Cycle to Work Scheme – Now with a £4,000 Cap! Cycle to Work is a government initiative...
This idea is a walk in the park. It really is that simple, post a news item to see how...
Green Gyms are fun and free outdoor sessions where you will be guided in practical...
The Quick Fit programme offers positive steps to improve your health through diet and...
Fitness tracker
The Nike+ Run Club app tracks your run and helps you reach your goals, whether it’s...
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
Fitness tracker
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
Food diary, exercise tracker and diet coach
Fabulous! Is a motivational app that uses challenges to help build physically and...