South West adults encouraged to Move More in new LiveLighter program

A new health campaign is encouraging adults in the South West to be more physically active for their mental well-being.

Cancer Council WA’s LiveLighter program has developed the Move More campaign after research found the number of people citing mental health and wellbeing as their motivation for being physically active doubled in the past five years.

Running Statewide until February 11 across social media platforms, online and face-to-face courses, the Move More campaign aims to inform adults of the lesser-known benefits of being physically active and to promote new resources that make exercise fun and accessible.

Cancer Council WA obesity prevention manager Ainslie Sartori said the program encourages and supports people to be more active for their physical health and other benefits such as boosting energy and mood, and creating social connection.

“We are so excited to launch our new My Workout Builder which coincides with this campaign,” she said.

“This new digital tool creates a custom, step-by-step video workout based on the user’s goals, equipment available, desired challenge level and available time.

“We also have a suite of free online resources that can assist people to reach their movement goals including workout guides, workout dice game, and a physical activity calculator.”

It comes as the number of people that cited mental health and wellbeing as their motivation for being physically active doubled from 13 per cent in 2016-17 to 26 per cent in 2021-22.

Ms Sartori said while the benefits of physical activity are well known, many West Australians aren’t getting enough, with two-in-five adults not reaching the recommended levels.

“Sedentary jobs, life stress and neighbourhoods built for cars set us up for spending too much time sitting and not enough time moving,” she said.

“We encourage the South West community to jump online at LiveLighter.com.au to try something new and kickstart a healthy habit today.”