Exercise & Fitness

Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking or any of dozens of other activities can help your heart. Whether it's included in a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart.

Physical Activity in Your Daily Life

At HomeIt's convenient, comfortable and safe to work out at home. It allows your children to see you being active, which sets a good example for them. You can combine exercise with other activities, such as watching TV. If you buy exercise equipment, it's a one-time expense and other family members can use it. It's easy to have short bouts of activity several times a day.

1. Work in the garden or mow the grass. Using a riding mower doesn't count! Rake leaves, prune, dig and pick up trash.
2. Go out for a short walk before breakfast, after dinner or both! Start with 5-10 minutes and work up to 30 minutes.
3. Walk or bike to the corner store instead of driving.
4. When walking, pick up the pace from leisurely to brisk. Choose a hilly route. When watching TV, sit up instead of lying on the sofa. Better yet, spend a few minutes pedaling on your stationary bicycle while watching TV. Throw away your video remote control.
5. Instead of asking someone to bring you a drink, get up off the couch and get it yourself.
6. Stand up while talking on the telephone.
7. Walk the dog.
8. Park farther away at the shopping mall and walk the extra distance. Wear your walking shoes and sneak in an extra lap or two around the mall
9. Stretch to reach items in high places and squat or bend to look at items at floor level.
10. Keep exercise equipment repaired and use it!

Health is Wealth

Children and Adolescents
Helping to ensure that children and adolescents stay healthy is very important to people in Canada -- and important for their individual development! We know this is a combination of many things -- including a supportive family home, a thriving social network and the possibilities of going to school. Their health is also affected by their feelings of safety when it comes to who they socialize with and feeling safe in the world around them -- the streets, in schools and on the playground.

Tips for Healthy Kids

Here are some simple ways to keep your children and adolescents healthy:

1. Remember that your children's health involves more than their physical safekeeping. Talking with your children daily to find out what they are thinking and doing is one of the most important ways to keep them healthy.
2. Keep your children active. Research studies show than more than half of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development.
3. Keep the environments in which your children live, play and learn safe. For example, keep dangerous products, such as matches and products that contain poisons, in a locked cabinet.
4. Take your children for regular medical checkups. Always talk to your physician if you have any concerns about your children's health.