Can you believe it? You already jog for half an hour twice a week, and you go to the gym for another hour. (You stick to that routine every week right?!) And you’re still half an hour short of Health Canada’s recommendations of getting ‘2 ½ hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week”.
How is anyone one who isn’t a gym freak or professional athlete supposed to get two and a half hours of ‘moderate to vigorous’ physical activity every week?
That might be a tough task for you, but it’s important to remember that Health Canada isn’t trying to make life difficult for you. They’re trying to make your life longer.
How to Get Your Weekly Physical Activity
1. Transform Your Thinking
One of the biggest hurdles to getting more active is thinking of it in terms of ‘jogging for half an hour each week and going to the gym for an hour”. You can get your activity in much smaller, easier to do segments. While even 5 minutes of an activity is good, it’s best to shoot for at least 10 minutes at time.
2. Act Like A Child
Remember when you were in elementary school? Recess meant heading outside to throw a ball, skip rope or play hopscotch. So give yourself a 15 minute recess every night, or once a week, and do something you used to do when you were a kid. If you don’t have anyone to throw a ball with, try juggling!
3. Turn Your Chores Into Workout Sessions
This one has the double benefit of making your chores more fun and getting your activity in. Next time you’re vacuuming, washing the dishes or mowing the lawn, throw on your headphones and favourite dance list. Now rock that chore!
4. Ask a Friend
One of the best ways to enjoy exercise and physical activity more is to stop doing it alone. When you walk, bike, ride or workout with a friend, you don’t even feel like you’re exercising. And you keep in closer touch with those how are important to you.
Before you begin any extra physical activity, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Also important is to not ‘work through’ even the slightest aches and pains. Pay attention to your body and listen to what it’s telling you. To learn more about making it easier to get your recommended weekly activity, contact us here at PinPoint Health.
