Exercise is Medicine™ Month 2009 kicks off in just one month! Here are a few simple things you can do today:
Think back to your last visit with your doctor. Did he or she, or anyone in the office, such as a nurse, ask you about physical activity?
The goal of the Exercise is Medicine™ program is to encourage physicians to record physical activity as a vital sign during patient visits. But, just as importantly, we want to equip you with the information and questions you may need in order to have a conversation with your physician.
Why? It’s simple. Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem in this country, and contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, depression and anxiety, arthritis and osteoporosis.
It’s easy to start. It just takes a commitment to participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity and 10 minutes of stretching and light muscle training five days a week. As you progress, come back for additional training resources to further enhance your health and wellness.
Join us in celebrating your health and fitness in May for Exercise is Medicine™ Month. There are plenty of ways you can participate, but here a few that may spark your interest for the month of May. Tell us your story if you plan to participate in other ways.
1. If you haven’t seen your physician in awhile, consider making an appointment for an annual physical. Have a conversation with your health care provider about how exercise is best suited for you depending on your age or health status. For more resources and suggestions on how to approach your health care provider, download the Exercise is Medicine™ public toolkit.
2. Ask your local gym or health/fitness facility if it offers a trial period. Consider joining if the monthly rate is reasonable.
3. Parents: model healthy behavior by incorporating activity into the weekday schedule. Limit TV, computer and video game time so that the family can be active together. Something as simple as turning on music and dancing around the house can start the fun!
4. Start a walking club by recruiting your family, neighbors, coworkers, church or other social group. Buy a pedometer and start counting your steps, and set targets to eventually accumulate 10,000 steps a day.
5. Be a bearer of good news. Forward this Web site link to your clients, family and friends with a note asking them to do a little more in May. Suggest a 30-minute brisk walk three to five days a week for people new to exercise, or an invitation to your walking club.
6. Sign up online at http://www.exerciseismedicine.org/ for more information and to be added to our Exercise is Medicine™ health and fitness newsletter.
7. Tell us your story! Send us your personal story of how physician-assisted or suggested exercise has changed your live or affected your health.
Please submit your personal or community promotion ideas to EIM@acsm.org. As appropriate, we will add them to the list for our visitors to see.
