Physical Activity

Active living may be the closest thing to finding the fountain of youth!

We can not avoid getting older. However, we can improve the way our body ages and how we feel by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity.

Physical activity improves health and well-being. It reduces stress, strengthens the heart and lungs, increases energy levels, helps maintain and achieve a healthy body weight and it improves the outlook on life. It also contributes to healthy aging, and maintaining optimal health and quality of life.

Start slowly and build up physical activity into your life. Listen to your body. Add it up 10 minutes at a time. If you’re not sure and or have any medical conditions, consult your health care professional before starting your new routine. The Canada’s physical activity guide to active living outlines the benefits of regular physical activity, the requirements and how to get started.

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Well-Rounded Workout

For a well-rounded workout, choose a variety of activities from the following groups:

Endurance: 4 to 7 days a week
Continuous activities for your heart, lungs and circulatory system. These will make you feel warm and breathe deeply.

Flexibility: 4 to 7 days a week
Gentle reaching, bending and stretching activities to keep your muscles relaxed and joints mobile

Strength and balance: 2 to 4 days a week
Lift weights, do resistance activities to strengthen muscles and bones and improve balance and posture.

Walking

Walking is one of the most popular physical activities for adult Canadians. WALKING The Activity of a Lifetime is a step by step booklet to get you started to walking. It also includes a sample walking program and a weekly walking log.

Additional links

Active 2010 is an interactive Government of Ontario site that offers additional information on physical activity including a listing of various physical activity opportunities in your area. In Motion is an interactive Saskatoon site that offers different self-assessment tools. Gmaps Pedometer is an interactive site to help you plan your walking/running routes and track your distance.