Now that most of us are back at work and the kids are in school, it’s a great time to set new routines to ensure the whole family finds their 30 minutes of activity, and eats two serves of fruit and five serves of vegies every day. In this edition of Your 30
E-News we offer you simple tips to stay happy and healthy, and that you can easily fit into your busy lives.

This month is also a great time to reinforce and consolidate those New Year resolutions and stick to new routines. And with the weather still warm, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and about. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you keep moving.

We’ve also got some great recipe ideas in this edition. Visit the Your 30 website www.your30.com.au for some more healthy meals that are quick and easy to make, particularly for families on the go. And don’t forget to enjoy the wonderful assortment of summer vegetables and fruit still in season.

Viewer Story
Mum on the move

Keeping active when you’ve had a baby may seem daunting, but as new mum, Anna, from Brisbane says, ‘finding your 30’ is not as tricky as it sounds.

"My six-month-old Toby and I like to do lots of active things together. On a typical day we go to swimming lessons and both get in the pool, I always try to go walking with the pram and often bring the dogs as well," Anna said.

"Toby loves moving around so I’m often kept active just by playing with him, and walking about instead of sitting still."

                

"We are also in the process of moving house, so that involves a lot of shifting, packing and lifting which helps to keep me on my toes. Ten minutes of shifting boxes is a great work-out!"

"I also keep moving when I go shopping. Toby sits in the pram or the shopping trolley, and I ‘find my 30’ by hitting the shops."

"I find that just by doing a few minutes of incidental activities with Toby that it adds up – and I’ve often found my 30 before I even realise it."

"And because I am breastfeeding, I make sure I eat a healthy diet, so I always buy lots of fresh summer fruits and vegetables."

TELL US HOW YOU ARE ‘FINDING YOUR 30’ TO INSPIRE OTHER MEMBERS. PUBLISHED AUTHORS WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL ‘YOUR30’ GIFT PACK.

Setting new routines

With work and school back in full swing after the holidays, most of us are busier than ever.

That’s why it can be challenging to find our 30 minutes of daily physical activity, as work, school and family commitments can take up most of our day.

But being more active can be incorporated into any lifestyle, and now is the time to reinforce those New Year resolution’s of better health.

Why not walk the kids to school? Or plan regular trips to the beach - things the whole family can enjoy.

And when going to work, get off the bus a stop early, or take the stairs to the office. You don’t need to find your 30 minutes in one hit – three ten minute sessions are just as good – as you long as you keep moving.

A few simple lifestyle changes will not only help us to feel happier and healthier, but more importantly, it will reduce the risk of developing serious, life threatening illnesses like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Obesity costs Queensland society $11.4 billion dollars a year, and unless we make some major changes, by 2025, 1.4 million Queenslanders, could be obese. That’s more than Brisbane’s population.

And if current trends continue, there are fears that for the first time in history, children might not live as long as their parents.

The good news is that it is preventable. That’s why there’s no better time to ‘find your 30’ and make a few simple changes that could put you and your family on the path to a longer, happier and healthy life.

(Statistics taken from ‘The Health of Queenslanders, Prevention of Chronic Disease 2008. Second Report of the Chief Health Officer).

Serving Suggestion

Serve kebabs with pita bread and a salad of diced tomatoes, sliced Lebanese cucumber, pineapple chunks, diced olives and crumbled feta. Alternatively serve on a bed of warm, cooked crushed potato, sweet potato and chopped herbs.