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As the excitement builds for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, thousands of British Columbians across the province are responding to the 2010 Challenge. You can participate in this challenge too. Starting is easy with ActNow BC, which aims to lead the way in healthy living and physical fitness with one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in North America. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise and five servings of fruits and vegetables each day are our first steps to achieving that goal.
There are many reasons to exercise and participate in physical activities, such as playing sports or walking. These activities can be fun and help improve your health.
In fact, regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce your risk of conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Physical activity is beneficial at any age. Why not start today?
There are a host of health benefits from being physically active. When you exercise, you can:
- relieve stress
- improve your muscle tone
- burn calories and maintain a healthy body weight
- increase energy and concentration levels
- improve your quality of sleep
- strengthen your bones
- improve balance and posture
- improve your circulation
- improve your digestive health
- increase your resistance to disease
- have fun and be social
In addition to workouts in the gym, there are plenty of fun ways to stay healthy and fit with indoor and outdoor activities. Choose activities that you enjoy that can become a regular part of your routine. If you enjoy the activity, you are more likely to continue with the exercise plan, especially if it is right for you.
To stay healthy and fit, aim to be active for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Even 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day will help improve and maintain your health. You can accumulate 30 minutes by performing three activities for ten minutes each during the day. If you are worried about whether physical activity is safe for you, speak to your health professional first. To create a successful fitness program, choose activities that you enjoy or prefer. To help determine your fitness preferences, click here.
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