May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month – Let’s Get Active!
By Ashley Baril, Fitness Center Manager, Whittier Street Health Center

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports month! This means it’s time to celebrate and highlight the importance of staying active through sports and other fitness activities. Adults can celebrate by being physically active for at least 30 minutes per day; for kids it is good to be active at least 60 minutes per day.
Why is Physical Activity important?

Exercise has been proven to help prevent and manage different diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It can improve your mental health, help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and promote overall well-being.

Here are some ways you and your family can stay active while enjoying your community.

• Head to different playgrounds throughout the city. Going to new neighborhoods is an adventure that allows kids a fun way to both exercise and explore.
• Download free walking applications on your phone such as the Pacer Pedometer or Step Tracker apps. Set yourself a step goal every day and try to meet or exceed that goal. You can achieve this step goal by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking instead of taking public transportation.
• A rainy day? If watching TV, do a different exercise during every commercial. For every car commercial everyone does jumping jacks, every restaurant commercial, sit ups. Be creative!
• Have a family dance party.
• Have a scavenger hunt.

Come to Whittier Street Health Center to be active!

• Come to Whittier’s Wellness & Fitness Club to work out in the fitness center and try out our group exercise classes. A free 3-day trial is available for new members.

• Participate in the Whittier Street Health Center’s Community Garden. Help plant, water, weed and harvest vegetables with us every Thursday from 10AM-11AM.
For more information please contact Ashley Baril at the Whittier Wellness and Fitness Club: email: Ashley.baril@wshc.org or call 617-989-3179 or 617-989-5101.