Being Active

 

How much physical activity do adults need?

Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving.  According to the Centers for Disease Control’s 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, you need to do two types of physical activity each week to improve your health – aerobic and muscle-strengthening. If you have not been active for a while, check with your primary care provider and start out slowly.

For important health benefits, adults need at least:

2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

OR

1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., jogging or running) every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest,  shoulders, and arms).

OR

An equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest,  shoulders, and arms).

For more information on physical activity guidelines for adults, kids, older adults, and pregnant women visit http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity.

 

Move More

Do you want to Move More in Central Maine?

Are you interested in more information on physical activity in Central Maine? Move More is a community collaborative in Kennebec and Somerset counties that helps people be more physically active and eat well. Move More has several resources available, including Central Maine walking maps, physical activity resource guides, and the Move More Community Movers Program.

Please also click here for a listing of Winter Indoor Walking locations in the Northern Kennebec County Area.

 

Action Packets

Want to create change in your Maine Community?

Healthy Maine Partnerships now has available several Action Packets related to physical activity and nutrition policy and environmental change. The action packets are filled with everything you need to develop policies that support increased physical activity and healthy nutrition, real Maine Examples, Action Steps, Presentation Materials, Resources and more. Please contact us with your name, shipping address and contact info to order any action packets. You may also visit the Maine Physical Activity and Nutrtion Program website as well.