A group of adults participate in an an adult fitness class.

Image Credit: Jenn Pierce

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – If your latest exercise is having a Netflix marathon while you wear sweatpants you wouldn't dare to wear in public, you might want to reconsider your options. The number one New Year’s resolution people make (and usually don’t end up following) is to get in shape – New Year, new beginning.

Adults should get at least 20 minutes of exercise per day, which can help prevent premature death, heart disease and stroke among other things.

Rather than waiting for 2015 or spending all of your money on a new gym pass or treadmill, try some of the following options to ease yourself into exercise or just to get out and get some fresh air during the winter months. Here are some tips from the B.C. health ministry.

- Set some goals for yourself – small ones to start. Maybe it’s walking 20 minutes a day or doing a certain number of burpees before bed. You can set your goals higher once you start meeting your original targets.

- Create an activity calendar to map out when you plan on getting away from being sedentary.

- Walk or run up to 10,000 steps a day. Make it a goal to meet that number – join a running group, go for morning walks, or even make your lunch break a walk break.

- If you’re heading out of town to meet up with friends or family or on a business trip, pack a bag full of workout wear and see what sort of activities are available in a different town.

- We like to think of the cold and snow as a way to justify our hibernation as we watch re-runs, but shovelling, tobogganing and building snowmen all burn calories. Go skiing or snowshoeing. Bring the kids and make a day of it.

- Kids often have boundless amounts of energy. They’re always running around or making up some sort of game to play outside.  Kids need between 60 and 180 minutes of daily physical activity. The next time they’re playing tag or something else, join them. See if you can keep up.

- When was the last time you went dancing? Go out for a night on the town with friends and see if your moves are still quality. Or if you want to keep them hidden, crank the tunes at home and get dancing. An added bonus if you stay home - you can still wear those sweatpants.

- If you don’t have time to make the gym or aren’t ready to make the investment, there are plenty of short and helpful YouTube videos that can get you working out at home. Or if you’re not feeling like a workout class, try researching some different yoga poses.

- Head down to your local recreation centre and research the options available to you and your family. Don’t call it off immediately because of schedule or budget issues. Go see if there’s something that might work; most centres can accommodate to meet your needs.

- If you’re still wondering what you can do to get a daily dose of exercise, call the province’s Physical Activity Line at 1-877-725-1149 to get more information.

Recreation Centres in your community:

Kamloops:
YMCA – Two locations available
400 Battle Street – 250-372-7725
150 Wood Street – 250-554-9622

Tournament Capital Centre – Fitness Centre
910 McGill Road
250-828-3655

Vernon:
Greater Vernon Recreation Centre
3310 37 Avenue
250-545-6035

Kelowna:
Parkinson Recreation Centre
1800 Parkinson Way
250-469-8800

Penticton:
Penticton Community Centre
325 Power Street
250-490-2426

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724

News from © iNFOnews, 2014