Pam Hison Green Prescription Advisor Sport Bay of Plenty

With temperatures plummeting it is tempting to position yourself firmly on the couch.

We, the Green Prescription team are here to tell you keeping your activity level up throughout the winter months is worth the effort.

Sticking to a regular routine, means you will be meeting Spring with a bounce in your step and reaping the rewards that come with a healthy lifestyle that your couch just can't give you.

Sport Bay of Plenty's Green Prescription team run a six month, healthy lifestyle starter programme for people referred from their GP practice.

They work alongside people to develop a healthy lifestyle by increasing their physical activity and making healthy food choices.

The magic number for adults when it comes to physical activity is 150. That is 150 minutes a week of physical activity.

Activity at a level that gets your heart beating a little faster and makes you breathe a little harder, is key.

Things like brisk walking, aqua jogging, biking or going to an exercise class are great. This needn't be all at once, think snacktivity 10 mins here, 20 mins here, as long as it all adds to 150 minutes by the end of the week, you're winning.

So that's the what and the how to get physical activity into your weekly routine, have you ever wondered about why physical activity is so important?

Well it is magic stuff. If you want to feel good, have more energy and add years to your life, get your body moving!

Rewards can include; lower stress levels, lower blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, reduced risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke, diabetes, depression and falls, these are just some of the clinical measurable changes.

However, that's not all, some of the biggest gains we hear from Green Prescription clients are increases in self-esteem and confidence, we regularly get feedback on how much our clients enjoy the social side of physical activity many making lifelong friendships.

The Tauranga Green Prescription Nordic Walking Group meet every week at Memorial Park. It has become a highlight of the week for most walkers.

They especially enjoy the 'walk and talk” as most live alone with limited social interaction. One of the women says it has changed her life, and Fridays give her a reason to get out of bed.

Another said he was originally in a bad mental space and had other major health issues, he couldn't get himself out his door, however he forced himself to join the group, and now credits this group for 'saving his life!”.

Physical activity really is magic stuff. To find out more about the Green Prescription programme, have a look at www.sportbop.co.nz and talk to your GP or Practice Nurse or give us a call at Sport Bay of Plenty.