28 Feb 2023 | 3 mins

When I was in high school, I would go to extreme measures to get out of grade sport. You bet I used every excuse in the book - felt sick, injured, mum doesn’t want me playing sports (thanks for writing those notes), I didn’t wear shorts, I wasn’t any good at it...

To be completely honest, I don’t even remember the last time I played a sport competitively, willingly. I was a klutz all throughout high school - I got a concussion and had to be wheeled off to hospital cause a basketball came flying at my head. 

I tried acting out like I was Troy in High School Musical in an angsty teen number by dancing in a puddle and slipped straight onto my bottom on the netball courts. Oh, I also stepped on someone else's foot in the middle of dodgeball and landed face down. The moment I thought I was good at something, I would get injured.

So, why is a 20-something now telling you that you should still be actively moving once PDHPE ends? Well, to put it one way, I am the most unfit person I know. I force myself to go on runs, dread HIIT workouts and have the highest BPM when I start to do any physical activity. As you get older, your metabolism starts slowing down and it’s much more important to workout more than ever.

According to the Department of Health, over 18 year olds should be doing these everyday:

  • 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity, including but not limited to a brisk walk, golf, swimming
  • 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous intensity physical activity, like a jog, soccer, cycling or netball
  • The equivalent combination of both
  • Muscle-strengthening two times a week

Look, I totally get it. As we’re getting older, we have more responsibilities and time keeps running away from us. But shouldn’t we be making it a priority to live our healthiest lives possible? Here’s why you shouldn’t give up sports:

You’re still learning competitive and social skills

There is a lot to be learned from being in a team environment - how to deal with a loss, having good sportsmanship, and how to communicate with your teammates. Once you stop going to school six hours a day, it’s easy to adjust to becoming a hermit, so take these sporting skills you’ve learned into your daily lives!

Playing a sport you love won’t feel like a chore

Get involved in a team sport with your friends and you’ll be getting fit while having some good bants! Whether that’s putting together an Oztag or indoor netball team just for something to do or something to look forward to - that’s one step in the right direction.

It’ll benefit your mental and physical well-being

Being active is essential for good health - when you’re working or studying from home after a long day - your back might be aching and feeling pretty fatigued. The main problem is the argument you’re having in your head to work up the courage to just go for it - not the actual physical activity itself. So, need something to boost your mood? Exercise.

It acts as a distraction to your everyday life

Feeling stressed from work? Put your energy into your sport - smash that team and release those endorphins and raise those dopamine levels, baby!

I’m going to practice what I preach and make a conscious effort to be doing something active everyday - you gotta start somewhere but all I gotta say is, don’t be like me and stay on track!