With spring beginning, the excuses for why we couldn’t exercise are quickly fading away with the winter weather. Soon the sun will be shining daily, with a perfect temperature every day, sidewalks and bike paths will be open and begging for use.
People can come out of hibernation and step outside to welcome the weather they will become accustom to for the next few months. Birds will be calling us outside with their morning chirps and we will be greeted by the sun, which has become such a distant feeling over these past winter months.
Now is the time for everyone to dust off their running shoes and make sure new year’s resolutions to do something about activity levels and health don’t fall apart.
Soak in every bit of daylight that we have, since it was so deprived and in short supply this stormy winter. Making the conscious effort to walk, bike or run to places rather than driving is a solution many of us will consider trying, however, we must make good with this decision and actually follow through. Remember we are not required to run a marathon every day. Government of Canada physical activity guidelines state peple should strive to complete a minimum 150 minutes of exercise per week.
This can be broken down into smaller segments throughout the week over a course of four or five days. Rest days are important just as long as they don’t turn out to be rest weeks, months, or years. It also is worth mentioning that in order to get the benefit we want for our body we need to perform these exercises for at least 15 minutes continuously at one time. Not every type of physical activity that performed to accomplish this 150-minute per week goal has to be cardio. One day we may decide to go for a run, bike or walk. The next day, the decision could be made to go out onto the porch and do some pushups, sit ups, planks or weight work (cans of soup make for good weights if a set of dumbbells are not available).
If we struggle to find motivation for working out and keeping up with our active living then it may be a good idea to book some days at the beach in the calendar. Having that perfect beach body for summer can make some of us go crazy with physical activity in order to be able to not embarrass ourselves as we bask in the sun and hopefully remember to apply our SPF 40. Remember that the summer can get very hot and it is key to be in good physical shape during these months. Summer is a difficult time for many people as the humidity makes it harder to breathe and to be active. Being behind the eight ball already when this weather presents itself, does nothing to help our health during these times.
Spring is the best time to start our physical activity habits, as good weather will be around until winter comes back again in a year’s time. However, this does not give leeway for when we start making our routine, as we all know that mid summer will be here soon enough when we may use the excuse “its too hot to work out today.” It takes 21 days to make a habit so let’s make sure we get outside at the first sign of grass and start this three week process to make a lasting routine. If you are not big into physical activity make sure you start off trying to do some with other people as well to get you motivated. Turn everyday dog walkings into a social group. Have long walks with your dog, whether imaginary or real.
This season let’s all make good with our promises to ourselves to get in better physical shape and improve our lifestyles. No matter what age or physical condition, we can always improve and make positive decisions that will benefit us long term and short term. Run out into the outdoors as we have been cooped up all winter and enjoy the spring that Mother Nature has provided us with.
For more information about any of the free services offered by the Minto-Mapleton Family Health Team, visit our website at www.mmfht.ca or call our Drayton office at 519-638-2110 or our Clifford office at 519-327-4777.
submitted by the Minto-Mapleton Family Health team
