Put a spring in your step
Make the most of the lighter evenings with these fresh, fun ideas the whole family can enjoy.
Take up trampolining
Half an hour of trampolining can earn you around 3 FitPoints® * and it's great fun. If you have the space, go for 10 to 12 ft sizes and always buy one with an enclosure. Indoor trampoline parks are also taking off – find one close to you and get jumping!
Lucy, 40, trampolines with her three kids as a home workout: ‘A trampoline has been the best toy investment to date. The kids spend hours bouncing on it. I lost 1st 6lb with WW and used sessions on the trampoline as a great way to burn some calories. It’s a vigorous cardio workout that uses all the muscle groups and improves balance, and it’s kinder to the joints. It’s exhausting – ten minutes of jumping works the whole body, especially the thighs.’
Give golf a go
Golf can be a great family sport. If you’re a beginner, try a pitch-and-putt course (a shorter golf course, easier to navigate than an 18-hole one). Go to pitchnputt.co.uk to find out more. And equipment isn’t as expensive as you might think. If you shop around you can pick up junior golf clubs for less than £10 – or you can hire it all. An hour of playing golf could earn you around 4 FitPoints*.
Amanda, 42, plays golf with her children aged 12 and 13, and husband, Gavin: ‘I’m rubbish at golf, but that doesn’t put me off playing. Around four years ago, I was concerned about how much time the children spent sitting around on computers so I decided we should all take up golf. Once we were on the course, they loved it. It involves lots of brisk walking and since we also carry our own clubs it’s also good weight-bearing exercise. We hire equipment and pay £5 each for a game – not bad for a family day out.’
Jog on!
Running is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories and strengthen muscles. If you run for 30 minutes, you could earn around 7 Fitpoints *. If that sounds good, parkrun arranges free weekly runs that are a fantastic way to motivate yourself and your children. Visit parkrun.org.uk to find a run near you – there are free junior parkruns, too.
WW Coach Elaine, 41, started running with her 14-year-old daughter: ‘I lost 4st 8lb with WW, but the weight started creeping on again as I had a sedentary lifestyle. Then I read about the Couch to 5K app. It sounded like just what I needed, so I asked Becky if she’d run with me. We settled into a nice routine, running three times a week – and having a giggle too. We’ve joined a running club and we’re doing our first 5k in a couple of weeks!’
*Based on a 10st person
Also try…
Cycling: With thousands of miles of routes in the UK, the National Cycle Network (sustrans.org.uk) runs through the centre of every major town. You can find traffic-free routes for families on their website.
Wall climbing: Many indoor climbing walls offer family sessions where you can all try your hand at scaling a wall. Kids love it and it’s great for building strength. Find a wall near you at the British Mountaineering Council’s website (thebmc.co.uk).
Walking: Walking is a great way to spend time together as a family while being active, and projectwildthing.com gives you hundreds of fun ideas for things to do on walks in your local park or woodlands.