HP OPINION AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE IS THE BEST MEDICINE PANDEMIC HAS INTERRUPTED MANY PEOPLE'S EXERCISE ROUTINE, WRITES DR. NADIA ALAM I spend more time these prescriptions Studies show spending most of your day sitting may be worse for your he than smoking. This is true regardless of genet- ics, body shape or whether or not a person already has other illnesses. Making exercise a habit disease and cancer, it will also reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and overall in- flammation in the body. Exercise improves cog- nitive function, sleep and the young who arow \d who enjoy an ee lifestyle are more likely to live and age more gracefully. move , we lose mus- cle mass, our “joints stiffen, DR. NADIA ALAM Column our eyesight and hearing Es 0. And the onset of frailty, or ihe oss of our body's reserve, leaves us vulnerable to sudden dra- seemingly minor events such as a simple treatable infection, a change in me- dication or even a change in environment. gular exercise and te | strength gained from exercise reduces the odds of frailty. When writing an exer- cise prescription, I'm very specific. I set goals around frequency, intensity, min- utes per session and types of exercise. The pandemic has dis- rupted all of our routines. Everyone is tired. Motivation to exercise is understandably at an all- time low. 11 people, start with what is achievable. If they are not used to an type of regular exercise, I recommend they start wit ive minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes of exercise and ‘en add a minute ev- ery week. y wv euezest walking to start. I move up to body weight resistance training and more vigorous aerobic exercise. And then Imove ym there, ‘ing spe- ater resoutees ort more in- For those who used to exercise regularly and now no longer do, my to motivation and problem solving around the barri- ers to resuming activity. Becoming strong mind and strong of body is ell worth the time and ef- fort. So set a goal, and then get up and move. Nadia Alam is a Halton physician and past ‘presi- dent of the Ontario Med- ical Association. Her col- umns also appear on www.drnadiaalam.com. She can be reached through her website. CLIMATE CHANGE AND GROWTH EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ISSUES A column i in the May 27 27 lepende Surtingten Post ‘ville Beaver and Mil- ton Champion refers to an advisory panel that told these local papers what is- sues they should focus on. While the topics listed are all worthy of coverage, portant issues were not mentioned — the climate crisis and Halton's growth plan to 2050. These two issues are among the most critical for Halton Region, now and into the future. .s a supporter of the Halton Hills Climate Ac- ete will provide fall cover- age of these important is- sues and hold our elected rep! rests, accountable for the decisions that will af- fect us and future genera- tion: JEANNINE D'ENTREMONT, GEORGETOWI SUBMIT YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR TODAY! CANADIAN TIRE GARDEN CENTRE Your one stop shop for all your gardening needs! bzoz ‘€ eunr ‘Aepsunys | SIH UOHEH - dl eUL | EL All in-stock Herb, Vegetable & Tomato Plants Including HARVESTHYME ON SALE NOW! HANGING BASKETS - New Arrivals with) Vibrant Colours! All 10/11” Baskets ON SALE Baskets ON SALE ONLY 713 onty°2249 33-3812 TROPICALS - “shop early for the best selection! Featuring 7” Braided Hibiscus Palms Standards $7999 $3999 33-1258 Gardenia Standards in bloom $4499 33-1247 Large in-stock selection of Fertilizers, Garden Chemicals, Gloves, Hose Accessories, Seeds & Planters await you. 315 ani ety Georgetown 289 CANADIAN TIRE www. TT ca