Let’s get fit!
(Sponsored article)
It’s that time of year that can make or break those New Years Resolutions. Sure, we all start out with the best intentions – signing up for the gym, buying a smoothie maker, and swearing up and down that this will be the year. However, most of us tend to struggle by about week three with keeping those goals. The temptation for a nice beer at the pub, a large popcorn at the movies, or a massive bowl of pasta at your favourite restaurant can often get the better of you by the time Australia Day rolls around.
But don’t worry, because there is plenty of activities for you to do that will help you keep those fitness goals on track. So, whether you’re powering through daily workouts or attempting to recover from eating an entire stick of garlic bread on Friday night, check out these five activities to keep the kilos off!
1. Tee off those calories with a round of golf
Although golf might not seem like the most vigorous sport, the average golfer walks approximately 6-10km in each round of golf depending on the length of the course. On average, this is about 8,000-13,000 steps per game so you’ll definitely kick those Fitbit step goals out of the park. Toukley Golf Club will help you burn those calories with a beautiful green set among paperbark tea trees and inland lakes. Test out your teeing (and walking) capabilities on either 9 or 18 holes.
2. Strap on your hiking boots
You don’t need to head to Kokoda or Everest for a beautiful hike – just head into the great Aussie wilderness that is our backyard. Explore the eight kilometre stretch of the Bouddi Coastal Walk, trot along the three kilometre path between Patonga and Pearl Beach, or test your endurance on the 34km section of The Great North Walk.
3. Chuck those shoes to the side for a round of barefoot bowls
We all love coming home from a long day at work and pulling off those uncomfortable shoes. Well, why not stretch that glorious comfort to your exercise? Breakers Country Club offers barefoot bowls for just $10pp. It doesn’t matter if you’re the master of the backhand bowl, or a newbie at the forehand bowl – lawn bowls are for everyone! Plus if you’re feeling a little bit peckish you can get food packages. You’re just going to burn it off, right?
4. Pump up your bike tyres
Why go to a cycle class on a Saturday morning when you’ve got the entire Central Coast to explore on your bike? Pump up those tyres and strap on that helmet to explore beautiful tracks like the Brisbane Water Cycleway, the Ettalong Foreshore, along Tuggerah Lakes, and Niagara Park. If you’re more of an adventurer, test out the BMX tracks in Ourimbah State Forest, Bouddi National Park, and Kincumber Mountain
5. Learn how to sail with a fun group of coasties
If you want toned arms and strong abs, sailing is the way to go. The sport will challenge your muscles in ways you never thought possible. The team at Gosford Sailing Club will help you out in developing your skills (and abs) every Wednesday under the setting sun. They’ll teach you the difference between the aft and bow, educate you how to adjust the boom, and teach you how to steer the rudder. The only thing you have to worry about is falling in the drink!
Words by Kate Stevens
Images by Pixabay