a'lK'Jîartkmò (©bseruer Page BS February 8. 2 0 0 6 BLACK HISTORY MONTH and the American Experience 0 Add activity to your daily routine and feel more energetic! Being physically active is important. It can help you feel better and improve your health. There are many fun things that you can do to be active<by yourself or with family or friends. Children and adults should do 30 minutes or more o f moderate physical activity each day. You can do 30 minutes all at once or 10 minutes at a time, three times a day. I f you are not used to being active, start out slowly and work up to 30 minutes a day. Add more activities fo r longer periods o f time as you begin to feel more fit, or add some vigorous activity. African American Health Coalition, Inc. Improve your outlook! Move your body! Are you ready to get active? Physical activity can he your solution to feeling tired, bored, and out o f shape. With more physical activity you may feel less stressed! Change your habits by adding activity' to your daily rou tine. Any movement you do burns calories. The more you move, the better. Check out some o f these simple activities to get you started today. • make you feel more energetic To perk up: • help you lose weight and con • the morning and stretch. • help you sleep better • Jog in place. • lower your chance for diabe • Ride your stationary bike tes lower your blood pressure • improve your blood choles If you have a health problem, check with your doctor before starting Create a healthier you! while watching TV. • • Get up 15 minutes earlier in trol your appetite lower yourchance for a stroke You can start being physically active slowly if you do not have a health problem. a vigorous exercise program. Physical activity can also: • • • Workout along with an exer Choose one activity from the list o f moderate or vigorous activities above and get started fo r a healthier you! Get a pencil and write your answer below. cise video. terol levels To do a quick workout: • My goal is to _________________________________for at least Use the stairs instead of the (write one favorite activity here) elevator. What’s the best type of physical activity for you? The best type is the one or two that you will do! Pick an activity that you enjoy doing and one that will fit into your daily routine. Start with moderate levels o f activity and work your way up! • Walk to the bus or train stop. • Walk to each end of the mall when you go shopping. _____________ m i n u te s _______________ tim es each week. (minutes per day) (number o f times) Park your car a few blocks away and walk. To have fun: • Play your favorite dance music. Do the old steps you love—add some Moderate level of activity new moves. M oderate Activities: H ere's a good place to start. M oderate activities such as w alking a n d clim bing stairs fo r 10 m in- utes, three times a day can im p r o v e • your kids or grandkids. • your Jump rope or play tag with Use hand-held arm health. Pick a fe w things weights during a phone to try fr o m the list be conversation with a friend low. • walking • gardening • dancing • vacuuming • raking leaves • climbing stairs Make staying physically active a lifelong habit! Make it a family thing. Make Physical Activity A Habit Work out with your family, friends, or neighbors. Teaming up with a partner keeps you both motivated. Vigorous level of activity Vigorous Activities: You can increase to this higher level as yo u becom e m ore fit. You get additional health benefits fr o m doing vigorous activity. I f you are already at this level, keep Write in the log the num ber of minutes you are active each day: Make it a religious thing. Mon Start a physical activity group at your church. Example 10 Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun 15 15 20 20 30 30 OFF 30 30 OFT; 30 30 30 OFF 30 30 30 OFF Week 1 Example 30 up the good w ork! • Track your daily progress. Start out slowly. Soon you will reach 30 minutes or more a day! Week 2 bicycling Make it a work thing. Example 30 • jogging/running • swimming • marching in place • doing aerobics • playing sports (basketball, football, soccer, baseball) Week 3 Keep a pair o f walking shoes at your job. Hook up with a coworker and use part o f your lunch time or breaks to be active. Chal lenge each other to better health. Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 W eeks U.S. D epartm ent of H ealth and Human Services Public Health Service National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute NIH Publication No. 97-4064 September 1997 NATIONAL HEART, LUNG AND BLOOD INSTITUTE » ORMH For more information contact AAHC at 503-413-1850 or visit the AAHC website at www.aahc-portland.org OFFICE OF RESEARCH ON MINORITY HEALTH j t