As the weather begins to cool and life become more routine again, fall is an excellent time to make a conscious effort to be active.
According to the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, children and youth require, at minimum, one hour of moderate to vigorous activity every day. Regular physical activity not only promotes healthy growth and development, it can also help children do better in school and learn new skills.
Adults need at least two and a half hours of physical activity per week in order to reduce the risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity. Exercise promotes improved fitness and strength, as well as mental health.
The City of Weyburn recently published its Fall Leisure Services Guide. It lists more than a dozen ways to be active during the fall and winter in Weyburn in addition to school-organized sports or private club activities.
Visit weyburn.ca/pdfs/lsg.pdf to find out how to register for a recreational group, fitness classes or swimming lessons. One can also find public swim and skate times, as well as a number of cultural activities on the site.
"Whenever I see the Leisure Services Guide, I'm really impressed," said Susan Nedelcov-Anderson, the Weyburn representative for Saskatchewan inMotion. "We have such a variety from which to choose. No matter what your style is - if you really like to be in groups, then there are lots of group sessions for which you can register. If you prefer to be alone, then walking along the pathways might be a better fit for you."
What is most important is to find a way to include activity as part of one's daily routine, by choosing things that suit one's lifestyle and personality.
"It doesn't have to cost you anything to be physically active," said Nedelcov-Anderson, suggesting that more people consider walking or cycling to and from work or school. She added that parents must set an example for their children and get more active themselves. For many cultures, family walks are a treasured pasttime.
Dogs always appreciate being walked as well. For those who don't have dogs, the Weyburn Humane Society has plenty of dog-walking opportunities available for people of all ages.
"The City of Weyburn has worked closely with my inMotion group to ensure that Weyburn is a walkable community," said Nedelcov-Anderson. "The new, very visible crosswalk paint and the curb cut-outs would be two examples of recent steps the City has taken to assist in making Weyburn more walkable."
"The wonderful pathway system that we have is another example of providing our residents with safe walking, biking and running areas. The Tatagwa Parkway master plan shows the pathways eventually circling the entire city."
"In Motion, along with the Parks Board, recently had those lovely pathway brochures created and mailed to each household," added Nedelcov-Anderson. "Sometimes people don't realize what is in their own backyard. Our pathways are really a treasure, right in our own city! Walking, biking, running and rollerblading can all be done on the pathways, in addition to bird watching, discovering natural vegetation, and many other fun activities."
Nedelcov-Anderson added that the inMotion committee is working on establishing cross-country ski trails and is hoping to have more to report for this winter.
For those who would rather exercise indoors in winter, the Tom Zandee Sports Arena will offer free open daytime skating every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m. starting September 10. Beginning October 7, the Weyburn Young Fellows-sponsored free public skating will be held Sundays from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.
The Weyburn Leisure Centre offers a variety of programs for everyone, from infants to younger adults to older adults.
"Participants can join the Red Cross pre-school program with their parents beginning at four months old," said Tina Clay, Program Co-ordinator at the WLC. "Teenagers who want to teach swimming lessons or become a Lifeguard can start taking Red Cross and Lifesaving Society courses at 13 years old."
"There are numerous times throughout the week to partake in Public Swim, including the $5 Family Swim on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8.00 p.m."
A Back to School Swim Party will be held on September 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the $5 family rate. The pool schedule is available online at weyburn.ca/pdfs.poolsched.pdf.
"For older adults who like to stay active, we have a variety of aqua fitness classes," said Clay. "One can be as young as 16 to participate in our new Aqua Zumba class."
Aqua Zumba, a new class at the WLC, taught by instructor Angeline Braat, offers the much-loved dance workouts in water.
"You're getting that added benefit of the resistance and buoyancy of the water with the Zumba workout, so you burn so many more calories and you work so much harder and you're only doing it in a 45 minute class," said Braat.
She said that the classes are ideal for people who don't like to sweat, or who require low-impact workouts, such as those with injuries.
"You don't even need to be able to swim to do it, because you can pick your depth for how hard you want to work," said Braat.
There will be a 'Try it' night for Aqua Zumba at the Leisure Centre on Wednesday, September 26 at 5:00 p.m. The half hour class costs just $2.
Braat's other new fitness classes being listed in the Leisure Services Guide, a Rise & Shine and a Power Lunch, will not be Zumba classes, but will offer gym-intensity workouts during in-demand time slots. The new training centre will be located in the West end of the Weyburn This Week building.
