Get Physically Fit During the Month of May

The Office of City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young is teaming up with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

During the month of May, we challenge you to do 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Physical activity not only increases your chances of living longer, it also reduces your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and some types of cancer and helps to alleviate stress. In 2006, Men’s Health Magazine declared Baltimore the fittest city in the Unites States. But Baltimore City has moved from the fittest city in the country to number 17 out of 25. This statistic illustrates that Baltimoreans do not get enough physical activity.

The physical activity guideline for Americans is 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. Moderate activity includes walking fast, dancing, or raking leaves. Do strengthening activities, like sit-ups and pushups, at least two days a week. By becoming active, you will sleep better, strengthen your bones, and lower your risk of depression.

In the month of May, the Council President asks that you make the commitment to:

• Take the stairs instead of using elevators
• Substitute a water for a carbonated, caffeinated or high-sugar beverage once each day
• Substitute a snack of chips or sweets for a healthy snack of fruit, raw veggies, yogurt, light popcorn, nuts, or low-calorie chips once each day
• Use your break or lunch time to take a 15- to 30-minute walk.
• Determine what type of physical activity can be performed once or three times a week, for thirty minutes to an hour

No matter what shape you are in, together we can rise to the challenge to get more active during the month of May!

Let’s get moving, together!