The Get Active San Remo and Blue Haven campaign will run again in October, with residents encouraged to get out and take advantage of the many physical activity options that exist in that community.
The initiative, which ran for the first time in 2022, is a collaboration between Central Coast Council, the NSW Office of Sport and Central Coast Local Health District’s Health Promotion Unit.
But local psychologist and exercise scientist Dr Gordon Spence is concerned about those who want to live a more active lifestyle, yet find it difficult to turn their desire for better health into action and will present a free program called Ready2Move in conjunction with the Get Active campaign.
“Whenever people try to increase their physical activity levels, they often have a tough time jumping the gap between positive intentions and behaviour,” he said.
“This challenge can become more difficult for people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, when physical activity levels tend to drop, physical confidence decreases, negative age stereotypes develop and people begin losing interest in activities they used to enjoy.”
Designed for residents aged between 45 and 65, Ready2Move aims to help people address challenges that might otherwise stop them.
“As good as health promotion initiatives are, most don’t do very much to help people get ready to move,” Spence said.
“So, before Get Active starts in October, we want to offer people an option that will boost their physical confidence, improve their physical activity mindset and help them develop some positive social connections.”
To run the program, Spence is looking for 15 adults (aged 45-65) who are otherwise well but, for one reason or another, have been unable to maintain an active lifestyle.
The four-week program will be conducted at Halekulani Bowling Club, with eight 60-minute group sessions conducted on four Tuesday evenings and four Saturday mornings.
Each 60-minute session will include 30-minutes of “activity time” and 30-minutes of “chat time”.
The activity time will include some basic physical conditioning, using entry-level exercises designed to help people ‘wake-up’ their bodies and develop a regular pattern of movement.
The chat time will focus on helping people identify enjoyable forms of physical activity, challenge unhelpful “self-directed ageism”, set some motivating goals and consider possibilities for participating in Get Active San Remo and Blue Haven.
“I felt it was important that Ready2Move should happen in an active community setting, and not in a gym,” Spence said.
“Whilst there is nothing wrong with gyms, they can be very intimating for some people.
“So, I wanted a place that was both naturally social and had physical activity as a core focus.
“That’s why I approached Halekulani Bowling Club, and why I’m delighted they said yes.”
Anyone who would like more information about the free Ready2Move program, or wants to register for it, should send an email to info@drgordonspence.com before September 14 as there are limited places available.
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Gordon Spence
interest my self and my son josh