For many people, the words “fit” and “exercise” have become associated with aerobic, high impact workouts suitable only for younger, healthier individuals.

The truth is that every person, regardless of age or health status, benefits from moving their body.

Exercise needs to be seen as simply that — movement.

The following is a list of reasons why we should move.

Mind-body connection

Movement is a way of life. It is how people relate to themselves and their environment. Movement brings on a fluidity of the mind and body and helps elevate mood. It is how we can be social and do daily tasks.

The fact that it prevents and improves certain diseases is amazing, and yet in this context, movement is almost secondary.

Let’s look at the beauty of it now and appreciate movement by celebrating it.

Weight loss

Many people do not know that weight loss occurs with low impact movement over a longer period of time. What this means is movement done throughout the day is cumulative and brings on weight loss.

Take the time to take walks, or take the stairs when you would normally use the elevator. If you drive, park further from your destination to get those extra steps in.

If you need to gage the amount of movement you achieve in a day, invest in a pedometer. They are inexpensive and show you how many steps you take in a day. The goal is to have at least 10,000 steps in a day (about eight kilometres, depending on your stride length).

Wear the pedometer all day and record the number of steps for a week or two to determine your average. By gradually increasing the number of steps you take in a day, you will improve your health and lose weight.
Health compromised individuals get healthier

For people who have difficulty or cannot walk due to an illness or injury, the need for movement still applies. It is important to have a movement regime that caters to one’s own individual abilities and needs.

This is where a rehabilitation program cannot be stressed enough. These regimes strengthen the body and mind, and if maintained post-rehabilitation, it will assist in preventing further injury, complications or disease.

Seniors age slower with less complications

Seniors may be reluctant to do any form of movement due to health concerns. While it is appropriate to be cautious, movement is still needed to help with both the prevention and improvement of an illness.

Here are a few outcomes taken from current medical studies on the improvement of seniors’ health with performing therapeutic exercise:

• improved balance
• stimulates bone formation
• better brain function
• decreased stroke risk
• decreased cholesterol

Children learn skills from active play

It is common knowledge that children obesity rates are very high, leading to diseases that were once “adult” diseases like heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. It is important to have a child partake in sport or physical play time to help build confidence, work as a team member and decrease the risk of future chronic disease.

Let’s get moving Sudbury! You’ll feel better, prevent disease and be an example for others, as healthy living is contagious.

Sylvia Marasco is a naturopathic doctor and meditation facilitator at Ezentials Natural Health Centre and Spa in Hanmer. For more information, visit www.ezentials.ca. You can send your medical questions to Sylvia at health_questions@yahoo.ca.