Physical activity is a choice
So, what are you waiting for?

Physical inactivity is as dangerous to our health as smoking!

Physical activity is a choice. A choice that will improve your health, help prevent disease, and allow you to get the most out of life. It is as simple as Eating less and Moving more.

Obesity Costs Money
A recent study (1999), complied by the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health, reported that our physical activity declines dramatically by the time we're in our mid 20's, with only 39 percent of men and 22 percent of woman exercising in their leisure time. Also, the proportion of overweight men and women has increased steadily from 22 to 34 percent among men and from 14 to 23 percent among women between 1985 and 1996-97.

Obesity is a worldwide problem that is threatening the health and well-being of millions. Direct costs associated with obesity run at $2 billion a year in Canada alone. The World Health Organization estimates there are more then 1.2 billion overweight people worldwide and, of these, 250 million are classified as obese.

"Overweight people don't necessarily eat more, but they tend to be less active. Being overweight is simply a function of taking in more calories than you are burning off. And although genetics seems to be part of the obesity equation, the exact role it plays is not entirely clear." say Dr. David Lau, president of Obesity Canada and professor of medicine at the University of Calgary. "This is a largely preventable and curable condition and there is a lot that can be done. Even if you are dealing with a genetic mutation, people do not become obese unless they overeat and don't exercise." says Dr. Lau.

Improving your Health Through Physical Activity
Advances in medicine, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic tests, and surgery will unquestionably bring us enormous health benefits. But its the lifestyle choices we make that have the greatest effect on our health and longevity.

Improving your health through physical activity is easier than you think. The best news of all is that physical activity doesn't have to be very intense to improve your health!

Exercising does not mean that you have to go run a marathon, become an Olympic athlete, or that you have to join an expensive gym. Strenuous exercise classes are not needed. All the physical activity that is needed to improve your health, and help prevent diseases can come from a simple stroll.

Just thirty minutes of walking everyday helps to:

• Prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• Control blood pressure.
• Reduce cholesterol levels.
• Tone muscles and strengthen bones (which also helps to combat osteoporosis)
• Rise energy levels and get the most our of life.
• Control your weight, improve sleep and increase your physical and mental well-being.

A Walking Program
Walking can be easily included in your daily routine. Start slowly and build up so that active living becomes as natural as washing your hands and putting on your seat belt. Remember that a little is good, but more is better.

• If you use public transport, get off a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
• If you drive to work, walk for 15 minutes before getting into the car.
• When you use a elevator, get off two floors earlier and take the stairs the rest of the way- or don't use a elevator all.

When you start a walking program remember these fine points:

• Enjoy what you see around you and gradually build up to the recommended half hour a day.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
• Drink a glass of water before and after your walk.
• Have a warm-up gentle pace at the start and a cool-down pace at the end of your walk.
• Walking with others can be much more enjoyable than walking alone, so invite your friends along and encourage them to get some exercise. If you get a walk buddy, it is much harder to put off your exercise.
• Always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, if you have had heart trouble or any serious disease.

So, what are you waiting for? Make the choice of improving your health through physical activity. Its as simple as making a commitment and setting realistic short and long term goals. Start by making a goal to increase your daily physical activity by 10 minutes, two to three times daily, for one week. This goal can be achieved by taking a short walk around the block every day. Then start increasing the duration to 30 minutes of physical activity once a day.

sources: Canadian Living magazine (spring 2000), brochure from Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (2000), Healthy Woman magazine (Aug/Sept 2001) and Canada's Physical Activity Guide.

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