{"id":7918,"date":"2018-02-16T12:50:04","date_gmt":"2018-02-16T01:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=7918"},"modified":"2018-02-16T12:50:04","modified_gmt":"2018-02-16T01:50:04","slug":"pawsitive-chase-active-april-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/living\/pawsitive-chase-active-april-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Be \u2018pawsitive\u2019 and chase the Active April challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Victorians are once again being urged to sign up and get active through the Premier\u2019s Active April challenge, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To demonstrate the \u201cpawsitive\u201d benefits of getting active with pets, Minister for Sport John Eren joined AFL Women’s Melbourne Demons captain Daisy Pearce, Western Bulldogs captain Katie Brennan and Nine News personality Peter Hitchener at Gosch\u2019s Paddock earlier this month to run some four-legged friends through their paces on the Active April \u201cDogstacle\u201d course.<\/p>\n

\u201cActive April is the perfect opportunity to get moving and get healthy,\u201d Mr Eren said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all love our pets, and one of the best ways to keep them happy is to spend time with them getting active in the great outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone should enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle, but research shows it\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n

More than 50 per cent of Victorian adults fail to meet the recommended levels of physical activity, while 80 per cent of children don\u2019t exercise enough.<\/p>\n

Premier\u2019s Active April is a great place to start \u2013 and getting involved is free and simple.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s campaign is encouraging Victorians of all ages and abilities to register and call on their pets as a fun and easy way to increase levels of physical activity.<\/p>\n

During Active April Ambassador Daisy Pearce\u2019s downtime, her favourite way to increase her physical activity is by walking her dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019m not training, my favourite way to get active is to take our staffy Django for a run or walk,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPets are more than loyal companions \u2013 like me, they\u2019re also advocates for a healthy lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

A new personalised \u201cMy Local\u201d feature on the website will be introduced to help people find local activities, events and offers within their local community.<\/p>\n

Active April is also a great way for workplaces to boost morale around the office, and workplace teams are encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s as easy as taking the stairs, walking the kids to school or getting out in the garden. Just by registering, all participants receive prizes including:<\/p>\n