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| The center's climbing wall offers a challenging, year-round workout option. |
Sharing your goals with others is a good idea, he says, because once you’ve told someone who supports you that you’re going to do something, it’s harder to back down. Writing down the goals helps, too.
“For years I had a calendar where I wrote activities and something about the experience. I kept track of cycling miles to be sure I had the base to do a 100-mile trip,” Sharkey says. “Writing goals down seems silly, but sometimes you say, ‘I’ll go a little longer so I can put it in my record.’”
Be sure to make regular activity — walking, biking or any favorite sport — an essential part of your day. Don’t fall victim to the many excuses that will come to mind readily, like “I’m too busy,” or “It’s raining.”
“If our nation’s presidents can find time to exercise, certainly we can,” Sharkey says. “And with all the new materials for clothing, rain and cold are no longer good excuses for not getting outside. I even bought some of those grippers for my shoes this winter.”
In addition to working on increasing the level of physical activity for individuals, Sharkey stresses the importance of family activity.
“It amazes me how many of us feel the absolute obligation to get the dog out for a walk every day, but we don’t take the same responsibility when it comes to our children,” he says.
Often just making time available for children to be active is all it takes. Physical activity doesn’t have to be organized sports, Sharkey says. The important thing is to promote muscle-powered versus machine-powered recreation. Get the kids on cross-country skis instead of snowmobiles. Kids are creative, he says. Give them a safe place to play, some balls and bats and a little encouragement, add some parents, and watch the fun begin.
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| Exercisers can read, watch television or enjoy mountain views while they work out on the center's stationary cardiovascular equipment. |
Communities need to do their part, also. Often all it takes is community effort to provide safe places for people to exercise and play.
“Community planning should always require a health impact statement that asks, ‘Will this hinder or help people to be active?’” Sharkey says. “If communities want to be good places to live, they really ought to make that a priority.”
Events that encourage physical activity, such as community walks and runs, should be inclusive and encourage everyone to join in. Sharkey recommends offering rewards to schools, businesses or organizations with the largest number of participants based on a percentage basis. This sort of approach is more likely to accomplish a public health goal than events that focus on who is the fastest, he says.
So consider doing your part to improve public health. For just 30 minutes each day, turn off the TV, step away from the computer, put down that book you’re reading and head out for a walk. V
Sharkey offers more suggestions for improving health in his book “Fitness and Health,” now in its fifth edition with publisher Human Kinetics and available online at www.humankinetics.com.