‘Getting fit’ can feel overwhelming, yet there are lots of options for adding activity into your life (and they don’t have to include a gym membership or running shoes). Let Slimming World’s Body Magic programme take you on a fully supported journey to increase your activity at the right pace for you, unlocking amazing health benefits with every step.
When you join Slimming World, you’ll get all the help you need to achieve your personal activity goals – whether you’re a complete beginner or already up and running (or cycling, or swimming…). We’ll support you to find an activity you enjoy, that suits your fitness level and fits seamlessly into your lifestyle – helping you to make new active habits that you’ll want to maintain in the long-term.
These four fun challenges make it easy to up your activity – almost without noticing!
1. The ‘switch it up’ challenge
This is an easy way to make an instant change – you take something you’re already doing, and level it up! Say you have a 10-minute walk to work. Could you make it a little longer by adding a scenic detour through the park? If you walk the kids to school, you could go in trainers and power-walk or jog home. Or maybe it fits your day better to hop off the bus a stop early, take the stairs instead of the lift at work, or put your favourite tunes to add some va-va-voom to your vacuuming – any activity counts!
Max your motivation: Each week, set yourself a goal to switch up one daily task or journey. Then, after seven days, add in another activity upgrade.
More on the blog: 5 secrets to enjoying exercise
Slimming World member Sam took her workout outside for a sunny change of scene.
2. The ‘just a bit more’ challenge
Making progress is as simple as 1, 2, 3! Do something once today, twice tomorrow, three times on the third day… and keep on going. You could focus on a single exercise like a squat, count the seconds as you hold a stretch or walk to one lamp post today and two tomorrow – whatever works for you.
Max your motivation: Setting an ongoing goal, such as aiming to hit 10, 21 or 30 active days, will give you a great sense of achievement. Slimming World members can easily keep track of their activity in our app.
More on the blog: “How can I find the energy to get active?”
3. The ‘do something new’ challenge
You know that thing you keep saying you’ll try one day? Make today the day! If you’ve been wondering why your friend can’t live without their weekly Zumba, bounce fitness or aqua aerobics workout, challenge yourself to give it a go. Many places offer a free or reduced-price taster session, and who knows, you might find you love it as much as they do. Slimming World member Aimee shown in the main image above, gave kayaking a go to mix up her movement..
Max your motivation: If nothing springs to mind, check the noticeboards at your nearby leisure or community centre or church hall, or scan your local Facebook page for free walking groups. If you’re a Slimming World member, you’ll get loads of activity ideas in your group or our online Community (and they’re fantastic places to find fitness buddies, too).
More on the blog: “We’ve achieved things we never imagined possible.”
Amie enjoyed her first time at a trampoline park (great for a rainy day). She says; “At Slimming World, when we talk about activity it doesn’t have to mean the gym or a run. It can be fun things with the kids, dancing in the kitchen and even cleaning your house.”
4. The ‘go for Gold’ challenge
Work your way through the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards of our Body Magic activity programme and, in as little as 12 weeks, you could completely overcome any emotional blockers and practical stoppers to exercise, improve your health and self-esteem and make activity a habit that you’ll want to keep up. All gain, no pain!
Max your motivation: Slimming World members get exclusive access to our activity videos. Lasting from five to 30 minutes, they fit into even the busiest schedule – plus they’re perfect for dark evenings and rainy days.
More on the blog: How to overcome your activity stoppers
When you join Slimming World you’ll unlock our full get-fit tool kit, which includes:
- more than 90 on-demand activity videos, with workouts for every ability
- easy-to-follow exercise guides and activity ideas
- an online activity tracker, so you can chart your progress towards the next Body Magic award
- the FIT log tool, to help you identify any barriers and put strategies in place
- exclusive walking podcasts and fitness-themed podcast episodes
Find out more about our unique physical activity programme
If you’re planning to start a new exercise programme, we recommend you check with your GP first – especially if you have an existing health condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma. If you’re pregnant, check the suitability of the exercise with your midwife.