Physical activity doesn't have to be all work and no play. In fact, it can be just the opposite! There is no need to think of strenuous workouts that are painful and boring. Instead, imagine doing fun physical activities that you can enjoy and look forward to. Get active your way, everyday, and watch the health benefits follow!

CHMS accelerometer data indicates that 15% of Canadian adults accumulate the recommended levels of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA) per week and only 35% meet the recommendations of 10,000 steps per day (950 for males and 8400 for females).¹

We are striving to:

• increase awareness about the benefits of physical activity;
• motivate people in Northwestern Ontario to become more active;
• work with partners in the community to offer a broad range of local activities to make it easier for people to get active 

Physical activity reduces stress, strengthens the heart and lungs, increases energy levels, helps you maintain and achieve a healthy body weight - and it improves your outlook on life. There are three types of activities you need to do to keep your body healthy and fit:

1. Endurance activities help your heart; lungs and circulatory system stay healthy and give you more energy. These include walking, gardening, golfing, dancing and in-line skating.
2. Flexibility activities help you to move easily by keeping your muscles relaxed and your joints mobile. Flexibility activities include gentle reaching, bending and stretching of all your muscle groups. This is found in yard work or house work, curling and Tai Chi.
3. Strength activities help your muscles and bones stay strong. They also improve your posture and help to prevent injuries or osteoporosis. Carrying groceries or children, lifting weights, hiking with a backpack or climbing stairs are effective ways of building your strength. 

CHECK IT OUT:  New Physical Activity guidelines for Canadians

More physical activity information for you and your family and tips on how to plan on get moving:

• Participaction
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Alberta Centre for Active Living 

Major Initiatives:
10,000 Steps Campaign:  How many steps do you take in a day?  Research now suggests that we should be taking 10,000 or more steps per day to improve health. The 10,000 Steps to Better Health is a campaign to promote the health benefits of walking. Contact the Northwestern Health Unit to borrow a pedometer.

Active Schools Resource Box:  Over 25 resources for teachers and community leaders to assist with planning fun days, phys. ed classes, physical activity days and intramurals.

PALS (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools):  Playground Activity Leaders in Schools is a playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in recess activities regardless of their gender, size or ability.

• The objectives of the program are to:
  
  1. increase physical activity
  2. decrease conflict and reduce the incidence of playground bullying
  3. provide leadership opportunities for students in grades 5-7
• Student leaders, chosen from grades 5, 6 and or 7, are trained to provide games and activities for younger students in grades K-3. In kid language "it's a program to get kids in your school up and running, having fun, learning new games and making new friends".  Call the Northwestern Health Unit for more information.

Playground Stencils:  Transform your school playground into an exciting and active area filled with games children love to play. Playground stencils are free to borrow and application and game instructions are available with each stencil. For more information or to borrow a stencil, call Elaine at the Northwestern Health Unit - (807) 274-9827.

OPHEA Master Trainers Program:  working with Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) to provide teachers with on-going education opportunities to assist them with the delivery of the  Health and Phys. Ed curriculum

¹Colley, R.C., Garriguet D., Janssen, I., Craig, C.L., Clarke, J., & Tremblay, M.S. (2011). Physical activity of Canadian Adults: Accelerometer data from the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Statistics Canada, ¹Colley, R.C., Garriguet D., Janssen, I., Craig, C.L., Clarke, J., & Tremblay, M.S. (2011). Physical activity of Canadian Adults: Accelerometer data from the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Statistics Canada, Health Reports, 22.