Regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to improve their health. While research shows that adding movement to your life can have measurable benefits, almost 80 percent of adults are not meeting the minimum guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. This lack of physical activity is linked to approximately half of all American adults—117 million people—having one or more preventable chronic diseases.

In response to this, the Shelby County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent taught the workshop Exercise Anytime & Anyplace: Ways to Choose and Add Movement Throughout Your Day! for each of the seven Louisville Area Counties’ Homemaker Lesson Leaders and guests.  Emphasis was placed on understanding the guidelines and benefits of physical activity, including how to incorporate more movement to participant’s lifestyles.  Forty people participated in the workshops. Of those surveyed, 82 percent indicated they learned benefits of physical activity and 87 percent indicated they understood the physical activity guidelines. Further, 89 percent expressed increased understanding of how to add more movement to their day. (The other attendees stated that they already knew this information.)  One hundred percent plan to pursue adding more movement throughout their day to improve current health measures.

One participant wrote, “This was very good for me at this point of my life since I am limited to my activities.  This will be so helpful to me.”

Other participants said they would …

“Be consistent – use idle time to exercise.”

“Be aware of the many times during the day that I can make myself move.”

“Take time throughout the day in small amount of time and move all day in new ways.”

“Never give up on exercise and moving and keep motivated.”

“Use the simple exercises while sitting.”

“Practice tips for exercise while shopping, standing in line, etc.”

“Exercise throughout the day to stay limber in my 80s.”