Only about 15% of Canadians get enough regular physical activity. But it’s easier than you may think. Read on for exercise and nutrition tips to stay active and fit.
WHY EXERCISE?
Studies show that only about 15% of Canadians get enough regular physical activity, and that 65% of people are not physically active enough to maintain their heart health. Being active can help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce your risk of certain conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. If you’re not a big fan of grueling workouts in the gym, rest assured that there are plenty of fun ways to stay fit this summer with outdoor activities. And when you’re having fun, you’re more likely to stick with an exercise plan that’s right for you! Even 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day will help improve and maintain your health.
There are many other reasons to be active this summer. Exercise can help you:
- improve your muscle tone
- relieve stress
- improve your body image
- increase your energy and concentration levels
- protect your bones
- improve your circulation
- improve your digestive health
- have fun and be social
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IDEAS
There are more ways than you might think for you and your family to get enough physical activity to keep healthy. Here are a few ideas:
Take a walk. Walking is one of the simplest activities to get the ball rolling. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and a pleasant walking trail. Take a walk after lunch and dinner, or get off one bus stop early on your way to work.
Make a play for it. You might have flown a kite or thrown a Frisbee as a kid – why not now? Once in the park, you might see other activities that encourage you and your family to have fun exercising.
Join a health club. NRG 4 Life Fitness offers complimentary one week passes to try before you buy. We want our new members to do their due diligence. Check us out for a week and see what we have to offer and get a feel for our vibe and facilities. Whatever gym you join, it should fit your needs and there’s no better way to determine this than to come in a couple times and chat with members, staff, try classes and test out the equipment during the time you’d be working out. NRG even offers a FREE consult to meet with a trainer and discuss a plan to spiral you into action!
Create a family fitness plan. Gather your family together one evening or weekend and make up a list of activities that everyone can enjoy. Put your list on the fridge with a calendar and plan for evenings when you can try a new activity. For example, your list might include softball, cycling, tennis, or basketball. A list of fun activities will be more beneficial to your family than a list of favourite TV shows.
Support the sports. Most sports activities increase your physical fitness, contribute to heart and bone health, and help you maintain a healthy body weight. And you don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from team or individual sports. Participating in individual or team recreational sports, such as baseball, tennis, soccer, cycling, swimming, or running, is an excellent way to increase your level of physical activity and fitness. Team sports are also a great way to meet others who are motivated to stay fit. Visit your closest community recreational centre or sports club for more information on organized individual or team sports.
Just the basics. Scientific evidence suggests that even low-intensity, general lifestyle activities have health benefits. You can stay healthy with activities such as:
- gardening and yard work
- leisure activities such as golf, tennis, or bowling
- housework
- dancing
- walking up stairs