Viva Vitality: Boost your activity level in 2018

By Medicine Hat News on January 5, 2018.

With 2017 in the past, it is time to look forward to new beginnings and new resolutions as we step into 2018.

A particularly common New Year’s resolution is increasing one’s physical activity. According to the World Health Organization, inadequate physical activity is the primary risk factor around the world for death.

I know for myself, it is sometimes hard to find time to fit physical activity into my daily schedule, and as new technology is developed and released, I find myself living more of a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, one of my New Year’s resolutions will be to increase my physical activity, along with many other Canadians.

According to Statistics Canada in 2017, 18 per cent of Canadian adults are meeting physical activity guidelines. However, the remaining 82 per cent of Canadians are not meeting the recommended amount of physical activity. Adults ages 18 and up are recommended to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity per week done in bouts of at least 10 minutes. It is also recommended to incorporate strength training into your schedule at least two days per week. While 150 minutes might seem daunting, it is only 2.5 hours, which is about the length of the new Star Wars movie.

Participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week can benefit your body and mind in many ways. For example, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) suggests that maintaining the 150 minutes can help prevent and reduce the risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure certain types of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, being overweight and obesity. It can also aid in improving one’s overall fitness level along with increasing mental health. With so many benefits, why not take strides to increase or continue staying active in 2018.

Staying active does not have to be a dreaded task; it should be fun and enjoyable as well as a great way to socialize. To help you stick to your goals and increase your physical activity, try out various activities to find out which ones are most enjoyable for you. Some fun and easy ideas to stay active include joining a walking or running group within the community. For example, Volkssport Association of Alberta organizes weekly walks within Medicine Hat and is open for anyone to join.

Since we are in the midst of winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are great ways to keep active while enjoying the outdoors and are also fun activities for the family. If you don’t have the proper gear, no problem, Police Point Park offers cross-country ski rentals at their interpretive centre.

To help ensure success with your New Year’s resolution, the Government of Canada outlines various tips to help increase physical activity: Set a goal, make a plan, pick a time and place and acknowledge that every step counts. Asking a friend to join you in keeping active is also another way to stay accountable and stay on track with your goals. Whether your goal is to increase the number of steps per day or to complete a marathon, striving to be more active is a step in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle.