Move for the better

WHEN you live by the beach, in a part of the world that encourages spending time in the great outdoors, it is hard to fathom why anyone would allow themselves to be stuck inside.

Surfers, cyclists, runners and swimmers are among people drawn to our region to enjoy the mix of physical activity and natural environment, and can be seen out and about across the city and the coast on any given day.

Yet Deakin University research shows that only a third of Geelong’s population gets 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. That means, for every surfer or every cyclist, there are another two people not getting enough exercise or not participating in activity often enough each week.

When a region such as ours can’t entice people to get active outdoors, it is no wonder our nation has an obesity crisis.

Fortunately a group of locals have decided to tackle the issue head-on, setting up the Active Geelong program to encourage exercise and to promote good health practices.

Led by private health insurer GMHBA and featuring the support of community and business leaders including City of Greater Geelong councillor Pat Murnane, the program’s ultimate goal is to make Geelong the most physically active city in Australia.

It’s a lofty aspiration, especially given the growing rates of inactivity and obesity that has gripped the country. And it would mean at least an extra 15,000 locals meeting the 30 minutes a day, five times a week minimum standards.

For those trapped in the cycle of work, sleep and sitting on the couch, adopting such a healthy lifestyle means making wholesale life changes and breaking toxic habits.

This kind of generational change doesn’t happen easily. But getting the support and advocacy of community leaders will help encourage a real difference to our city’s wellbeing.

It makes for a healthy change for our community, in more ways than one.