May 17, 2006

In recognition of National Women’s Health Week, women are encouraged to increase their amount of physical activity as a step towards better health.

According to national and statewide studies, most women lag behind men in their level of physical activity. The women cited a lack of time as the biggest barrier to being able to get the exercise they need to stay healthy and ward off disease.

Women having trouble finding the time and/or motivation to exercise should start out slow beginning with three 10-minute sessions of moderate activity, such as a brisk walk, per day at least five days per week.

The following fee-free activities are suggested for those needing to get up and get moving:

• Use music – Walk to it, dance to it – alone, with a friend, or your children
• Jump rope – Buy your child one and join in
• Sneak activity into your work day – Get a friend to walk with you or take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Shopping – Park further away from the entrance and choose to enter the mall through a store other than the one you want to shop in. Also aim to fit in a few extra steps/laps after shopping and before heading home.
• Stay positive – Tell yourself “I can do this!” and “It’s only one mile.”
• Partner up – The pleasure of spending time and talking with a good friend is a powerful incentive.
• Stay informed – Visit the Michigan Surgeon General’s website, www.MIStepsUp.org, for great tips and tools on how to move more and eat better

For more information on women and physical activity, please visit www.4women.gov and www.michigan.gov/cvh.