Activate your Neighborhood

Our neighborhoods are often the best resources for staying active and healthy, and if it can begin here, then it can pour into the community as a whole. It’s time to make the best of the neighborhood and really start encouraging physical activity amongst those around us. Here are some positive ways to get closer to becoming the Healthiest Neighborhood in Town:

• Use the Clubhouse: utilize this place to hold group exercise classes (ex: yoga, dance, or kickboxing). Also this can be a great place for weight management meetings.
• Active Family Hour: encourage families to walk, run, bike, or participate in any other physical activity as a family at least for one hour every day. Promote this all around the neighborhood by posting signs.
• Swim Club: start a club for those who truly enjoy swimming or even those who would like to learn better swimming techniques. Saturday mornings can be a great time for this club to take action.
• Driveway Basketball League: talk to the residents and see who may be interested; set a time and place and guaranteed, people will show up ready to play!
• Run Club: running in groups can be very effective to improving distances and endurance. Create a morning run/walk group for all those early risers!
• Install a playground: this exciting equipment is sure to captivate all the children’s attention, inspire them to play physically, and get parents moving by pushing swings, chasing, and climbing too

Backyards and the surrounding areas are some of the most resourceful pieces of “equipment”. It costs almost nothing to use this space and the results are just as good, if not better, than those found in the gym. Encourage your neighbors and those in your community to strive for healthier choices and ultimately healthier lifestyles. An active lifestyle begins at home!

Photo credit: ColumbiaLifeChurch on Flickr.com