Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs
Most of us already know the importance of active living. Physical activity increases energy levels, helps us handle stress better, strengthens the heart and lungs and helps us reach and maintain a healthy body weight – all important aspects of healthy living. The result is a better quality of life for people of all ages. Yet less than half of all Manitobans of all ages do enough physical activity to improve their health.
That’s why the Manitoba government has joined with community partners in physical activity, health, healthy living, recreation, sport and education to bring you Manitoba in motion.
- Getting “in motion”
- Just How Much Physical Activity is Enough?
- Six Easy Ways to Move More Every Day
- Useful Links
Getting “in motion”
In motion is a provincial strategy to help all Manitobans make physical activity part of their daily lives for health and enjoyment.
Working together, we can raise activity levels in Manitoba and reduce some of the barriers to physical activity.
At times we all face barriers to being active. Barriers can include a lack of time, lack of energy, lack of motivation, or an illness or injury. By first identifying the barrier and planning ways to overcome them we can find solutions to build physical activity into our day. Click here for some tips on overcoming barriers.
Tools and resources are available to help individuals, families, communities, workplaces and schools plan and implement ways to get “in motion”.
Here’s how you can get started today!
Moving Around Manitoba
Moving Around Manitoba is an exciting initiative encouraging Manitobans to get “in motion” by increasing physical activity, making healthy eating choices, and supporting emotional well-being.
Collectively, Manitobans are making virtual trips around Manitoba as we track our physical activity on the Moving Around Manitoba website. Distance log sheets, physical activity trackers and food trackers are available here. Join the movement now!
Just How Much Physical Activity is Enough?
The New Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines say:
Children and Youth (5-17 years)
For health benefits, children and youth aged 5-17 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. This should include:
- Vigorous-intensity activities at least 3 days a week.
- Activities that strengthen muscle and bone at least 3 days per week.
More physical activity provides greater health benefits.
Adults (18-64 years)
To achieve health benefits, adults aged 18-64 years should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more.
It is also beneficial to add muscle and bone strengthening activities using major muscle groups, at least 2 days per week.
More physical activity provides greater health benefits.
Older Adults (65 years and older)
To achieve health benefits, adults aged 65 and older should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more.
It is also beneficial to add muscle and bone strengthening activities using major muscle groups, at least 2 days per week.
Those with poor mobility should perform physical activities to enhance balance and prevent falls.
More physical activity provides greater health benefits.
Find out more about the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines at:
www.csep.ca
Six Easy Ways to Move More Every Day
Explore Your Neighborhood
Walk to your nearest school or grocery store and time yourself. You may be surprised at how quickly you can get where you want to go without driving.
Walk and Talk
Got a casual meeting at work? Or a teen that wants to talk through a problem? Go for walk while you talk. It’s a great way to get away from interruptions.
Encourage Active Kids
Toddlers rarely stop moving. Then, all too often, school-age kids end up in front of the TV or computer screen. Find ways to get your kids moving and you’ll move more too! Try kicking a ball with them while getting caught up on their day. Or dance along to their favorite music. Head to a park and play catch or throw a Frisbee.
TV Plus
Most TV shows don’t require 100 percent of your attention. Think about what else you can do while watching. Stretch out the day’s stresses. Do knee bends while you catch up on the laundry.
Pick Your Spot
At the mall, at work or when visiting friends, park just a little bit further away and walk. If you take a bus, get off one stop earlier.
Challenge Yourself to Choose the Stairs
At home or at work, take every opportunity to take the stairs. It’s a great weight-bearing and bone-strengthening exercise that helps build muscles and endurance.
Useful Links
Looking for more information, ideas and resources? Visit some of these helpful links on active living and physical activity.
Active Living Guides
- Kids in motion - An Early Start to Physical Activity for Babies, Infants and Preschoolers
- in motion- Families and Children
- Guide to Healthy Living
Physical Activity / Active Living 
- Manitoba in motion
- Winnipeg in motion
- Brandon in motion
- in motion - Families and Children
- Workplaces in motion
- Moving Around Manitoba
- ParticipACTION
- Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba
- Active Living Coalition for Older Adults - Manitoba
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Manitoba Fitness Council
- Canadian Fitness Lifestyle Research Institute
- Wellness Institute
- Alberta Centre for Active Living
- Wellspring
Recreation Organizations
- Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
- Lifestyles Information Network
- Manitoba Camping Association
- Nature Manitoba
- Manitoba Aboriginal Sport & Recreation Council
- City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide
- Recreation Connections Manitoba
- Northern Links
Active Transportation
Other
- Sport Manitoba
- Sport Canada
- Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport
- Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports
- Manitoba Conservation - Parks and Natural Areas
