Being Active MY Way

5 Jan 2009

by Bethe Almeras

in Benefits, Health Issues, Resources

I've been thinking a lot about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' new campaign, "Be Active Your Way," and I have to say -- they're really on to something. At a quick glance, it just seems like a catchy slogan, but when I let it sink in, it really started to speak to me on a personal level.

Like many Americans, I spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or a conference table. I don't get enough exercise, and I know I need more. But to be honest, I hate the gym. I hate the process of getting ready to go and then driving there. I don't enjoy the atmosphere, and I am marginally graceful at best, so I have a secret fear that I will do great bodily harm on a treadmill or other such apparatus. It all feels very unnatural to me -- for me.

Be active my way? Be active MY way? Instead of feeling like a failure because I can't seem to embrace the gym or going to a yoga class, I have decided to embrace what I love: the outdoors.

I am going to go outside for a walk more often, even if sometimes all I can manage is a 20-minute walk at lunch time. On weekends, when there is more time, I am going to take longer hikes, perhaps adding a bit of an incline to the mix. In warmer weather I can garden and go canoeing. There are all sorts of trail and stream clean-up projects I can volunteer for -- no better physical activity than using a little elbow grease. With a little imagination, I am sure there will be all sorts of ways I can marry my love of nature with physical activity.

The bottom line: there are a lot more options for physical activity than going to the gym. It starts with a very important step -- backing away from the computer and making the time to do it. By combining the health benefits of physical activity with the emotional and psychological benefits of time outside, I think we all could be on our way to a happier, healthier version of us.