NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WEEK

Northern Saskatchewan is on the move celebrating Northern Physical Activity Week, May 1st to 7th.

This is the fourth annual Northern Physical Activity Week, which was established in 2003 by the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership (formerly the Northern Diabetes Prevention Coalition). The intent of the program is to have people take on a personal challenge to increase their physical activity level and decrease their sedentary time.

"Increasing physical activity is important to ensuring health and wellness," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel said. "This week is an opportunity to have people realize first-hand the fun and benefits of regular physical activity and to motivate them to make long-term, healthy changes in their lives."

Northern Physical Activity Week started in spring 2003 with 1,563 participants, 2,300 participated in the week's second year and 3,375 in its third.

"This year we have set a participation goal of 5,000 people of all ages," Northern Physical Activity Week Co-ordinator Sharalyn Reitlo said. "Meeting this goal is important to the organizing committee as we strongly believe in the positive effects that participating in regular physical activity can have on people's lives – greater self esteem, greater self confidence, greater health and happiness."

Participants are asked to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. New to this year's event is an additional challenge to decrease sedentary time, such as watching TV, playing video games and spending too much time on the computer.

Theme days for the week to guide those organizing and taking part in a variety of activities are:

Monday, May 1st - Theme: Sports Day

Tuesday, May 2nd - Theme: Family Day

Wednesday, May 3rd - Theme: Show Your Strength and Flexibility

Thursday, May 4th - Theme: Try Something New

Friday, May 5th - Theme: Walk/Run/Jog

Saturday, May 6th - Theme: Gotta Dance

Sunday, May 7th - Theme: Culture Day/Mother Earth Day

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967

Sharalyn Reitlo Northern Physical Activity Week Coordinator Pierceland Phone: (306) 839-4665