"Mama, let's run to school today because exercise wakes up your brain and makes your heart happy so you can learn better."

My 4 year old daughter plans to be a doctor. She is avidly curious about the human body, and she is acutely aware of how important it is to eat healthy food and exercise. And I am incredibly proud that even at this young age, she has taken on board my messages about healthy living. 

My husband, two young children and myself will all be walking the 2k at the Run for your Life Charity Run this September to raise funds for JHT's programmes that get more people of all ages participating in heart-healthy physical activity. So everyone has a chance to "wake up their brain and make their heart happy so they can learn better" and live a long, healthy life. 

A bit more about the MoveItBeatIt Campaign: 

More than 20 million people in the UK are at higher risk for developing heart disease as a result of inactivity and sedentary behaviour. Research shows that doing regular physical activity can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke by as much as 35%. 

Let's Move it to Beat It!

The connection between physical activity and heart health has been long established, and over the next year, our two charities will take that connection to the next level. JHT will organise a series of events and campaigns in our gyms and out in community to get people engaging in heart healthy physical activity while also raising funds for the British Heart Foundation's life-saving research.  

Funds raised through partnership events will be split 50/50 between the British Heart Foundation and the community programmes at JHT, such as our cardiac rehabilitation programme, free activity classes for seniors, and work to tackle inactivity in our communities.