Taking small steps towards a more active lifestyle is fantastic for your all-round health and fitness – and it’s even better when you do it outside. Studies show that moving more in the great outdoors can help to reduce stress, improve our mood and even boost our motivation to be more active.
The great news is that there’s a whole world of outdoor sports to help you have fun – and get fit! – in the fresh air. Whether you’re looking to take your favourite game outside or give something new a go, we’ve got lots of top tips and ideas to help you get out there. Let’s take a look at the outdoor sports that are helping our members to smash their Body Magic goals…
MORE FOR MEMBERS: You’ll find practical help to build an active lifestyle on the exclusive member website, including easy activity ideas, workout videos for all levels and inspiring member stories.
Tips for trying a new activity
- If you’re new to exercise, it’s best to start slowly. The first step is to move a little bit more than usual – even if that’s 5-10 minutes of gentle activity a day.
- Doing something you enjoy will make it much more likely that you’ll want to keep doing it. If you try a sport or activity and it’s not for you, don’t be put off – just give something else a go instead.
- Many of our members are motivated by working towards Body Magic awards. You can find out more about our science-based activity programme and the benefits it can bring here.
- Exercise doesn’t have to leave you exhausted and dripping with sweat! If it makes you breathe faster, feel warmer and increases your heart rate, then it’ll give your health and wellbeing a boost!
- Doing something regularly is the key to making it a lasting habit. Joining a sports team, booking a court in advance or making arrangements to exercise with a friend (where restrictions allow) are great ways to lock in that regular commitment.
- Don’t worry about what you wear. There’s no need to kit yourself out in expensive sports gear, feeling comfortable is the most important thing.
- If you’d like to try an activity that requires specific equipment, ask the facility if there’s a hire option available. You can always invest later if you decide that it’s the sport for you.
MORE ON THE BLOG: Removing your Body Magic barriers
Slimming World members get moving!
Get your kicks
Joining a sports team is a fantastic way to boost motivation and make a commitment to getting active. And you don’t have to take it too seriously – there are plenty of amateur teams who have a ‘just for fun’ approach to playing.
Ellen (@slimmingworld_ells) couldn’t wait to get back to training and playing with her local football team. She says:
“Football is back! It’s like Christmas day! So excited to get back on the pitch!”
Family time
Playing sports with the kids is a great opportunity to get them enjoying being active. You can check online to see what activities indoor facilities near you are offering and then set aside time to try an activity together.
Jo (@jo_sw_mission), who’s lost 4st 9½lbs with Slimming World, took her tribe to the local leisure centre for a good-humoured game of badminton.
Make a splash
If you’ve got a water sports facilities nearby, then things like kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding are definitely on the Body Magic menu.
Slimming World members Ben and Chloe (@benandchloe_fitnessjourney) combined a stand-up paddle-boarding session with a very cold swim – an invigorating way to get active, if you’re brrr-ave enough!
Something different
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a ‘sporty person’, there are lots of ways to get active that mean moving more while enjoying yourself. Outdoor sports facilities, including golf courses, sports courts, riding centres and water sports venues are great places to get active – and have fun at the same time.
If you’d like to start off with something that’s not hugely strenuous, a round of golf will help you clock up plenty of steps and give those muscles a gentle workout. Or, go for something really different like our member Jo who combined football and golf for a fun game of foot golf!
MORE FOR MEMBERS: You’ll find lots of Body Magic information and inspiration on the exclusive member website, including…
Building your steps to activity
From lockdown to slimdown: A new Body Magic groove
The unsporty person’s guide to getting fit
Get started with Body Magic
Getting active outdoors
Plus lots more!
Find out more about joining Slimming World here.
*If you’re planning to start a new exercise programme, we recommend you check with your GP first – especially if you have an existing health condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma. If you’re pregnant, check the suitability of the exercise with your midwife.