By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
IN April of 2014, Kathy Burgstahler’s life changed for the better.
The Lakeside resident decided to sign up to the Premier’s Active April – a State Government initiative encouraging Victorians to lead more active lives.
Throughout the month, Kathy took advantage of free YMCA passes, activewear discounts, a free tennis lesson and free gym court hire, and says she ended the month feeling significantly healthier.
“I made time to exercise every single day, and it was a change that I found continued throughout the rest of the year,” she said.
“The biggest difference I’ve noticed is a better work-life balance. When you’re working you often put yourself on the backburner.”
Active April participants register online and log their progress through an activity tracker. The aim is to spend 30 minutes of each day engaged in physical activity.
Kathy found the program to be so beneficial that she participated again last year and has already registered for the 2016 challenge.
“My husband now does it too and I’ve found that he’s very competitive, so it’s a competition between the two of us,” she said.
“I’d never ridden a bike, but because of Active April we took a trip to Canberra, hired bikes and cycled around Lake Burley Griffin.”
Upon registration, participants receive 10 free passes to a participating YMCA, 15 per cent off at Sportsmart, one free hour of tennis court hire at Melbourne Park or Albert Reserve, one free Cardio Tennis session, a two-for-one ticket to the Melbourne Aquarium and the chance to win major prizes.
Registrations can be made at www.activeapril.vic.gov.au
