Active Living As We Age
- Take part in endurance activities such as walking and cycling at least 150 minutes per week, in sessions of 10 minutes or more
- Do activities that improve strength at least 2 days per week
- Do exercises or activities that enhance balance and flexibility
Being active every day is a step towards better health & body weight.
BE ACTIVE IN A WAY THAT SUITS YOU!
This will help ensure that you are active on a regular basis.
Here are some tips:
- Endurance or aerobic activities should be moderate to vigorous in intensity. Examples: walking, swimming, dancing, aerobics, cycling, cross-country skiing. Try to take the stairs or walk whenever possible.
- Do activities that increase strength and involve the major muscle groups at least twice each week. Examples: lifting weights or household items such as laundry or groceries, climbing stairs and doing wall push-ups.
- Do activities to improve your balance every day, to help prevent falls. Examples: reaching, bending, Yoga, Tai Chi.
Learn more about active living:
Active Living Coalition for Older Adults: www.alcoa.ca
Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults – 65 Years and Older: www.esep.ca/guidelines
Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging: www.uwo.ca/actage
Osteoporosis Canada: www.osteoporosis.ca