Setting a good example of being ‘in motion’ are these early morning walkers (L to R) Marie Swan, Eleanor McClure, Oriole Titus, Dawn Dickens & Wilma Biggins. They walk together every morning, even in the snow.

The Partners in Prevention Committee is continuing to create a wave for in motion in Grand Bay-Westfield. Why should you be “in motion”? There are many benefits to leading a physically active lifestyle. You will find you have improved energy, sleep better, deal with stress better and you’re also taking a proactive approach to preventing many potential diseases.

In January 2010 Partners In Prevention will be working at getting Grand Bay-Westfield in motion. From the community profile provided by HEPAC, (Healthy Eating Physical Activity Coalition of NB) we know that the people who are least active in Grand Bay-Westfield are adults between the ages of 34 – 55.

There are a lot of inactive adults out there! But the good news is that a lot of these people want to become physically active, but just don’t seem to be able to take that first baby step towards activity. It is recommended that adults should participate in physical activities that include endurance, flexibility and strength to keep your body healthy.

A 3 to 10-minute bout of brisk walking accumulated over the course of a day can lead to risk reductions in cardiovascular disease and reduce anxiety and tension in previously sedentary adults. Physical activity is associated with a 20-30% risk reduction in all causes of mortality. Physical activity also reduces the risk of lung and rectal cancer. Furthermore, physically active men and women are at a 30-40% reduced risk of acquiring colon cancer when compared to inactive people. Physically active women have a 20-30% reduction in the risk of breast cancer when compared to inactive women. Physical activity has a protective effect against breast cancer in both pre and post menopausal women. Both walking and vigorous exercise are associated with substantial risk reductions in cardiovascular events (eg. heart attack) among postmenopausal women. Physical activity is also proven to lower blood pressure.

These are just some of the many good reasons why we all should get in motion. Check River Valley News for the latest news and events planned to help everyone in Grand Bay-Westfield become more active and in motion over the coming months.

By the way, winter walking should become a little easier soon. Plans are underway for the Heart & Stroke Walking Club in conjunction with ‘in motion’ to begin an indoor walking program. Every Tuesday evening at 7pm beginning in January, all interested walkers are asked to meet at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church. Come in through the back entrance. The church hall is being made available for indoor walking through the winter. Organizers also plan to bring in a guest speaker on a monthly basis. Everyone is welcome to drop in and get some exercise with worrying about icy streets and sidewalks. For more information contact Judy Sheaves (Walking Club) 757-8079 or Carol Ann Boudreau (St. Matthew’s) 738-3477.

LISTEN TO ENTIRE LAUNCH OF IN MOTION IN GBW (Sept. 15-09  – 40 Minutes)

Doing the Wave

Over 60 people came to Brundage Point on September 15th for the launch of ‘In Motion’ in Grand Bay-Westfield. Some wore running shoes and sweat shirts. Good thing too because before long they were waving their arms and bending their knees, participating in some fun activities to get everyone ‘in motion’.

This is a community based health initiative to encourage people in Grand Bay-Westfield to be active and to eat healthy. The program started in Saskatoon in 2002 and has spread across the country. It’s new to this province and Grand Bay-Westfield is just one of 7 communities piloting ‘In Motion’ this year. The Province, through the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport’s Wellness Strategy, has supported the Healthy Eating Physical Activity Coalition (HEPAC) of NB in leading the implementation of ‘In Motion’. The Partners in Prevention (PIP) Committee, a Grand Bay-Westfield community-based  wellness network was the group successful in having ‘In Motion’ brought to the town. This committee had already identified through a health survey that physical activity is one main area of focus, so having ‘In Motion’ to pilot will certainly assist in educating the community on the role that it plays in improving health.

Getting In Motion

The evening began with words of support from MLA Jack Keir and Mayor Grace Losier, who both emphasized the importance of physical activity and exercise. Betty Hoyt, the co-chair of HEPAC, who lives in Ketepec talked about the program and how it came to the province. She outlined the health challenges we face in New Brunswick where one in every three children are overweight or obese, higher than the Canadian average. We have more smokers than most provinces and the rates of diseases linked to poor lifestyles like heart disease, some cancers, diabetes and high blood pressure are also higher in New Brunswick. Next came Kathy Orser, a wellness coordinator for HEPAC, who got the group up and exercising and then gave more details about ‘In Motion’. She said to gain health benefits from exercising requires one hour of regular physical activity every day. Health Canada says inactivity is as bad for your health as smoking. Orser said the health profile for Grand Bay-Westfield showed that we have the highest rate of asthma in the province and a higher rate of people with high blood pressure. After that, Grand Bay-Westfield resident and mother of five, Holly Johnson talked about her life long battle with weight, especially during the birth of her twins. Two years ago she was 150 pounds heavier than she is now. Holly became emotional as she explained how she turned her life around by joining weight-watchers and training for a half marathon. Finally Joanne Barry, chair of the Partners in Prevention Committee came to the microphone to explain how the program will be rolled out. She asked all the participants to visit various tables in the room to provide ideas and suggestions on how ‘In Motion’ could work in Grand Bay-Westfield.

Over the next few minutes people threw out all kinds of ideas and many signed up to be an ‘in motion’ partner. Another meeting is planned for October 6th.

Holly Johnson

Joanne Barry