Why Staying Healthy Matters—Especially for Rural Women

Life in rural areas can be beautiful—wide open spaces, close-knit communities, and a slower pace of life (sometimes 😊). But for women in these areas, staying fit or even starting a fitness journey isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

I’m Tara from Tara Bradford Fitness, a small business based in Perenjori, a farming community about two hours east of Geraldton. I love living in a rural community, especially this time of year when the weather is magic, the paddocks are green (and golden), and country sport is in full swing.

For most of us, winter sport provides most of our activity—a few weeks of training before the season kicks off, then one training night a week and game day on the weekend. For many women, that’s the extent of our activity, and our sporting careers usually end around the age of 40. That was my story too; my poor knees and ankles just couldn’t quite cope with netball after I hit the big 4-0 ☹.

Why We Need to Stay Active as We Age

As we age, we shouldn’t become less active. Our goal should always be to remain fit and healthy, so we can continue living in the communities we’ve helped build, alongside those we love. I’m so passionate about ageing well—no one wants to be forced to leave simply because we can’t care for ourselves or are struggling to access healthcare. Let’s stay strong, independent, and present.

The Rural Woman’s Balancing Act

Rural community-minded women juggle many roles—wife, mother, career, farm work, and volunteering. Performing a multitude of tasks requires not just physical well-being but also mental strength. Daily exercise is so important for both. Yes, we all know movement is good for our bodies, but it’s proven to profoundly affect our mental health too.

Prioritising health in the bush can be challenging. Fitness classes and gyms are often far away, and travel isn’t always practical. Add time pressures and endless commitments, and it’s easy to put our own health at the bottom of a very long to-do list. Here’s what works for me: my health is always at the top. When planning my day, I figure out when I can fit in my workout, set a time, and stick to it. Morning works best for me because things always pop up to derail plans later on ☹.

The Power of Prevention

Exercise and daily movement are essential—but staying healthy goes beyond being active. Preventative women’s health checks are just as vital. Screenings for women’s cancers, heart health, and bone density should be part of every woman’s routine, especially as we age. They help catch issues early and protect our long-term well-being. Accessibility can be a huge problem—long distances for specialist appointments, few female doctors, and packed schedules mean it’s easy to delay or avoid appointments.

I firmly believe: Prevention is Better than Cure. We need to schedule these health checks, even just once a year, to be proactive about our future—for ourselves and our families. These appointments aren’t for when something goes wrong, but to spot concerns before they become serious.

Habits Matter Most

Although regular health checks give peace of mind, it’s our daily habits that shape how we feel day in and day out—and will hopefully keep those checks clear. Make time to move, eat nourishing food, reduce stress, and prioritise mental wellbeing. When we look after ourselves, we’re in a better position to care for loved ones, manage work, and enjoy life to the fullest 😊.

A Motivating Statistic

I wish everyone understood how powerful exercise is. Here’s a stat that hit me like a ton of bricks:

If you exercise for 30 minutes most days, you reduce your risk of all diseases by 50%. HALF the risk.

When I first heard that, I thought: “If only everyone knew this—surely it would inspire real change.” Exercise is a powerful tool, better than any pill the doctor could prescribe. It has so many knock-on effects: better sleep, less stress, stronger bodies, fewer doctor visits. Doesn’t that sound good? 😊

Tips for Getting Active—No Gym Needed

You don’t need fancy equipment to stay fit. Walking is free and can be done anywhere, anytime. It’s the perfect way to start your fitness change. Add resistance exercise 2–3 times a week, and you’ll see real strength benefits as you age. There are plenty of free online workouts to try from the comfort of your home.

Put Your Health First

Prioritising health isn’t selfish—it’s essential. The small steps you take today will pay enormous rewards in years to come, helping you remain strong, independent, and present for the people and communities you care about most. Let’s take that step. Go for a walk. Start showing up for yourself—because ladies, we’re worth it 😊.

Tara Bradford | Tara Bradford Fitness