Activity

Doing something

You've heard the expression, don't just sit there, do something! Well, there is no better motivation than to move around! The more you do, the better chance of winning the Bank of Health! You can use any activity to count towards your Bank of Health points, even cleaning the house for an hour!

Earn 1 point for each of these!

10,000 steps a day (use a pedometer for this!)
½ hour sweaty exercise/weight training
(jogging/kickboxing etc - so £2 for 1 hour)
1 hour yoga
1 hour very energetic housework/cleaning

Pedometers - for 10,000 steps a day

We have heard about the Kelloggs 10,000 step a day challenge. They popularised pedometers and the concept of aiming to walk 10,000 steps a day. If everyone used one, it would make the nation a healthier place, and obesity would be a thing of the past! You dont have to get sweaty to be healthy - simply walk 10,000 steps a day. You can do this by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking around while on the phone, walking accross the office to talk to someone, getting off the bus early and walking the rest of the way home, or doing more vigourous exercise like jogging or kickboxing! The Bank of Health awards 1 point for every 10,000 steps taken! Even if some of it was used up while doing other aerobic work - its a way for you to earn double points! If you dont have a clue where to buy a pedometer - have a look at one of these websites:

• Heart Rate Monitor Shop
• pedometers.co.uk
• Vision Light

Weight Training

Weight training is so good for you! Thirty mins of weight training will earn you 1 point in the Bank of Health! Having more muscle in your body raises your metabolism, which means you burn calories throughout the day! It also helps prevent injury and heart desease, increase bone density, improve balance and stability, and keeps you young!

Jogging

You get 1 point for 20 minutes jogging outside, or 1 point for 30 mins inside on the treadmill. Jogging can be done anytime, anywhere. It conditions the heart, improves muscle tone and strength, relieves stress, and can help with a variety of health problems, such as osteoporosis, heart disease and arthritis. Be sure to wear proper running shoes as well, and to stretch! If you wear your pedometer you get extra points as the steps you take can count towards your total!