AMI Round the Bays part of healthier lifestyle changes

1 February 2013

AMI Round the Bays part of healthier lifestyle changes

A more active lifestyle reaps benefits in many areas of a family’s life. That’s the message from two women who are stepping out at AMI Round the Bays on 17 February.

Terina Pihema, Lower Hutt and Lloma Nicholas, Johnsonville, have both seen huge changes in their children since they’ve adopted a more active and healthier lifestyle. The two families participate in Sport Wellington’s Green Prescription Active Families programme.

Better school work, greater confidence and enjoyment of outdoor activities are just a few of the gains the mothers have seen in their children.

“The benefits of being more active impacts our lives in lots of areas,” says Terina, who participates in Active Families with her aunt Maraea Pihema. “The youngest children are doing well at school and have had good reports. We are all more active and encourage each other.” Her teenage son Noah continues to be active as part of the New Zealand Army cadets.

Lloma says the benefits of a healthier lifestyle are wide-ranging. “The girls are more confident both at school and in a group situation. They are fitter and can cope with outdoor activities more easily now,” she says.

Sport Wellington’s popular 7km fun run event has sold out but limited Run for Research entries are available through the official event charity Malaghan Institute of Medical Research at their website www.malaghan.org.nz/runforresearch

AMI Round the Bays, Sanitarium’s Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon, bush walks and other sports events are encouraged or organised for families, says Sport Wellington Active Families Advisor Paulien van Geel.

She says large events can be intimidating or confusing because of the sheer numbers of people entering. But the benefits of exercising together as a team are made easier through Active Families.

“These events inspire people to exercise in a community setting. We enter as a large group to encourage each other. It’s great to see families who have previously been part of the programme coming back each year, and see the changes through their adoption of a healthier lifestyle,” says Paulien.

This will be the second year the two families have participated in the 7km fun walk or run at AMI Round the Bays with Active Families.

“We love being part of the huge crowd. It’s great seeing so many people of all shapes, sizes and ages just getting out and doing some exercise together,” says Terina. Last year her youngest son Halen, then four years old, walked most of the course. “He ended up on my shoulders but it was all fun,” she says.

Active Families are encouraged to adopt a more active and healthier lifestyle and are educated in healthy eating. They participate in weekly games sessions as well as outings and events held regularly throughout the Wellington region.

Terina, Lloma and their children are just a few of 13,000 taking part in the AMI Round the Bays fun run or ISC Lenco Half Marathon on 17 February. Both options take advantage of the beautiful inner Harbour bays before converging on Kilbirnie Park for live entertainment, food and a great atmosphere for the whole family.

ENDS

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