HIN Health Action e-Bulletin

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

If you’re not as active as you might be, take a moment to consider why. Maybe you’re just in the habit of traveling by car or bus, even when you’re not going far. In your free time, perhaps it’s tempting to sit down in front of the TV or computer rather than do something more vigorous. It’s easy to get busy or tired and decide that it’s just simpler to put off that brisk walk or bike ride. But when you think about the serious problems that physical inactivity can create for your health—and the enormous rewards of getting regular activity— you may want to reconsider.

Let’s start in May, an ideal time to celebrate active living!

Use the Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart Booklet

This easy-to-read guide from NHLBI uses science-based information to help adults develop a safe and effective activity program that can be sustained.

How about starting with walking? It’s easy, convenient, and has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. It’s also less stressful on the joints and you don’t need any equipment to get started—just a good pair of sneakers. Check out the sample walking program on page 27.

If walking isn’t your favorite activity, find out what is. You are most likely to stick with an activity that you enjoy. Plan for success by choosing the right activity that works best for you; find out how on pages 20-23.

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For more information on the Your GuideSeries go to http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/yourguide.

Take a Look at the In Brief

The In Brief: Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart fact sheet offers a shortened version of the booklet. Great for sharing with others at health fairs, information racks, and education events! Don’t miss the section on “Creating Opportunities” on page 4 with ideas on how to take advantage of everyday opportunities to move around.

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Order the We Can! Energize Our Families: A Family Guide

While adults 18 and older need 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to be healthy, did you know children and teens need 60 minutes of activity a day for their health?

This workbook contains all of the handouts and activity sheets used during the We Can! Parent Program’s four sessions. The Family Guide also can be used at home to help parents and caregivers talk to their families about eating healthy and being physically active.

The “We Can! Make Physical Activity Fun” section, pages 50-52, includes many ideas for every member of the family to increase physical activity while having fun at the same time.

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