National Health and Fitness Week

 Canadian Winter Health and Fitness Week is Feb 1-7 this year. The NHFD website posts this week;-

"With all the challenges due to the pandemic now, more than ever, Canadians need to be active for their physical and mental health. During the first week of February join with our amazing partners to show all of the ways we can embrace winter and stay active.

Get out and get moving Canada!"

Winter temperatures in our area have stayed below freezing and there has been snow on the ground since Christmas. We have not had many snow storms and as a result, the local roadways have been clear most days and bike lanes are easily navigated. The brisk north-west winds have added some chilly resistance at times, but it has been energizing to do winter cycling. I will never skate or ski or go sledding again, not that I ever was able to skate or ski well, but before this year I never considered cycling as a winter sport. I find myself looking enviously at the bicycles with the big fat tires for snow and rough ground, but they are probably hard to pedal. 

A significant percentage of people I see in the hospital have chronic illnesses that could be prevented or decreased in severity with regular exercise, proper diet and other healthy lifestyle habits. Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, arterial disease, high blood pressure and obesity are diagnoses common to many patients. Function in degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis is often improved with activity. Adults from 18 years to 80 years of age need a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderately intense aerobic activity plus strength and flexibility exercises. This would require a time investment of less than one hour a day, far less than most of us spend on social media. 

"Canada is facing an inactivity crisis. Daily physical activity is on the decline and preventable illness is on the rise. It's time to get up, get out, and get active! National Health and Fitness Day (NHFD) is an initiative to challenge Canada to become the Fittest Nation on Earth..."

Like anyone else, I struggle to stay motivated to eat properly and exercise regularly. Fortunately I love being outdoors and cycling is one of my favourite activities, making it easy for me to engage. Exercise programs need to be enjoyable and fit in our usual routine to become a regular habit. The older we get, the less forgiving our bodies are of neglect and misuse. 

This week, another one of my patients died of COVID-19. He was 88 years young and walked 10 km a day. He was vital and looked younger than his years and I really hoped he would overcome the virus. But that did not happen. Reading his obituary yesterday, I saw that he lived his 88 years independently and well and was a contributing member of a loving family, his church and wider community. Activity is not a panacea for all conditions, but it can slow the wasting loss of chronic degenerative illness and bring enjoyment to our days.