Cousins take their health and fitness seriously - by having fun

Twenty five cousins from seven households have designed their first annual fitness challenge, choosing to focus on reconnecting, being active and being healthy.

As part of the challenge, the members met weekly to complete a physical activity, with responsibility of organising a challenge falling on a different family member every time. The challenges in the past two years ranged from runs around parks and reserves like Totara Park, stairclimbing, indoor netball, boxing, swimming, lunges, squats and burpees.

The challenge was designed by Siutu Leilua Tinai.  “We wanted to continue the relationship built from a family reunion where the message was physical wellbeing and building relationships with loved ones in today’s busy lifestyle”.

Some are in the challenge to get fit, others to lose weight or with a specific goal in mind.  “We are more connected than ever before, we see each other every week and it is motivating to see the weight loss and our family reaching their goals,” says cousin Olive Viliamu.

Villiamu who has done research work on public health and Pasifika also talks to her family about 'portion control,' being Smokefree and other things to ensure her family are working together to be 'healthy'.

“After last year’s challenge we found that we wanted to stay active to maintain and benefit from our hard work, and this year we have more family participating” says Olive.

Social networks are used to motivate and inspire the families – with Viber, Instagram and Facebook the members were able to send motivational messages.

A cash prize is designed as an incentive. Each participant paid a $30 registration fee, with early withdrawal also incurring a $30 fee.