BE ACTIVE, STAY ACTIVE

 

Maintaining physical activity in your life is essential for good health. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 30 minutes of exercise each day for at least 6 days of the week. Physical activity can be accumulated throughout the day at shortened intervals. Every minute counts towards your physical activity goal. This can be accomplished by including exercise in your daily routine. For example, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away from the store entrance for a longer walk to the door. Raking leaves, shoveling snow or cleaning your room will help you meet your exercise goals. Choose an activity that you enjoy and exercise will be more fun.

​

So, why is physical activity so important anyway?

• It helps maintain a healthy body weight

• It improves your physical skills like jumping, throwing, kicking and catching

• It strengthens your muscles and improves coordination

• It can increase your life expectancy

• It can reduce the risk of some cancers and diabetes

​

Children are more likely to be interested in exercising if they see the other members of their family participating in exercise. Taking a family walk after dinner a couple times a week or going on a family bike ride through the neighborhood are examples of some activities the whole family can do together. Limit sedentary activities. No more than one hour per day should be spent on watching TV, playing on the computer, or playing video games.

Strength, coordination, and confidence will result from including physical activity in your daily life, which will lead to a healthy lifestyle in the future. Get up and get moving towards your exercise goals. BE ACTIVE AND STAY ACTIVE.

​