Moving in May with Purpose

May is full of many healthy initiatives and days. From salad and salsa month to strawberry month, it’s a wonderful month to celebrate healthy foods. Celebrate by choosing these savory and sweet options daily!

May is Exercise Is Medicine® Month.

Exercise is Medicine® is an initiative focused on encouraging primary care physicians and other health care providers to include exercise when designing treatment plans for patients. Along with the National Physical Activity Plan, Exercise is Medicine strives to make physical activity a “vital sign” that is routinely assessed at every patient interaction with a health care provider. 

The benefits of fitness and activity are far-reaching. Despite this knowledge, the majority of Americans remain inactive, either from perceived lack of time, physical limitations or other challenges. Eating healthy has its share of challenges as well. We are worried about health-care costs and healthcare reform. We worry about childhood obesity and rising diabetes. We worry because we feel helpless as though there is nothing we can do.

Great news! There IS something you can do. And it’s FREE!

My clients express a strong desire to: 

• Feel better
• Look better
• Fit comfortably (in a chair, airline seat, in their skin, ...)
• Have more energy
• Sleep better
• Get a handle on stress
• Be able to do the things they used to do
• Get off my medication(s) for blood pressure or high cholesterol or diabetes
• LIVE with a better quality of life

These are just the tip of the benefits of being active. Despite challenges, many people do participate in exercise or physical activity daily, however most Americans do not. Right now, I’d like you to say OUT LOUD, your reason for not exercising today. What will it take for you to be active tomorrow? When you look at the quality of life that you desire and weigh the options of moving more and achieving the dream or being a slug and becoming more of a slug, which option do you choose? 

Physical activity and exercise should be part of everyone’s health care plan. Along with healthy food choices, physical activity is integral to the prevention and treatment of more than 40 chronic disease and should be regularly assessed as part of medical care. However, if your physician isn’t on board with this yet, is that a valid reason to not be active?

Here’s my May challenge to you. Be active DAILY. Every day for the rest of this month, do something. Anything. For any length of time that you choose. I’ll check in on your progress as the days pass by.

Choose to take charge of your health, your life, your destiny.