Regular, consistent exercise is incredibly important for improving your physical and mental health. Exercise positively affects every organ in the body, from head to toe. With exercise, you feel better, have more positive thoughts, reduce your risk of chronic disease, and ultimately live longer, healthier, and happier.

Given its nearly infinite benefits, it is sad that people don’t exercise often… or at all.

Something that helps people get up and move more is an exercise prescription. Lifestyle prescriptions are backed by evidence and people are more likely to follow medical advice if they are handed a signed prescription from a doctor.

Prescriptions for exercise consist of four parts: Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type (FITT). This covers how often we exercise, how hard it is, how long to exercise for, and the type of movement.

Here is an example:

  • Frequency: 3 days per week
  • Intensity: as fast as I can (without risking injury/pain)
  • Time: 3 minutes/day
  • Type: run up and down my stairs

In Alberta, we actually have a program called “Prescription to Get Active (RxTGA)”. This not only helps people exercise more but provides discounts/free access to certain fitness centres or even free trial periods in certain communities. The program is meant for people without major medical restrictions who are inactive or don’t get much activity, in order to reduce chronic disease burden and improve mental and physical health.

Canada wide, there is an initiative called PaRx – Prescription for Nature, where doctors can prescribe time in nature for health benefits. Did you know that spending just two hours a week in nature can have a significant positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing?

A good way to get some exercise and spend time in nature is to join our free and inclusive walking group!

So the next time you see your doctor, consider asking for an exercise prescription. Or feel free to email me if you want me to help you make one that fits your goals!

Either way, get going on moving your body, build momentum, and watch your life and health improve!