OASIS Active Living Every Day Program

Article submitted by Tracy Slate Active for Life® Coordinator, OASIS.
For more information, they can be reached at 647-2546.

If you are over the age of 50 and spend most of your time sitting, watching television, working at the computer, reading or doing handwork or crafts, you may be at a higher risk for certain chronic health conditions such as; Heart disease, Diabetes, Stroke, Depression, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol. Recently, San Antonio has been branded with negative labels such as; one of the most physically inactive cities and one of the fattest cities (according to Men's Health magazine).

A sedentary lifestyle coupled with obesity is a killer. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle is just as bad for you as smoking. The surgeon general has recommended that most Americans can reduce their risk of chronic health conditions but accumulating 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most (5 or more) days of the week. Sounds great, but what if you don't like to go to the gym, your neighborhood is not safe for walking, your treadmill is a high priced clothes hanger or you are just plain lazy? What is the answer?

The answer is Active Living Every Day, a multi-session course based on research from The Cooper Institute in Dallas. Active Living Every Day is NOT an exercise class. It is behavior modification that works. During weekly group sessions, lead by a certified facilitator, participants learn new skills to develop a healthy habit of daily physical activity. Weekly incentives include door-prizes and healthy snacks. Participants also receive a step counter and go on a field trip to celebrate accomplishments.