Physically Active Lifestyle for Busy Kids

Fit for Lifestyles Grades 3&4

Benefits of being Physically Active

As busy kids sometimes being active does not seem important.

Why should we put in the effort to be physically active?

What’s in it for me?

Benefits of being Physically ActiveIncreases our self esteemPrevention of future

disease and illness

Perform better at school Sleep better and feel more rested

Benefits of being Physically Active

Builds strong bones and strengthens muscles

Maintains flexibility Achieves a healthy

weight Promotes good posture

and balance Improves fitness Meet new friends Strengthens the heart Improves physical self-

esteem Increases relaxation Enhances healthy

growth and development

Other benefits according to your physical activity guide:

Different intensities of physical activity

Physical activity seems pretty hard. It

doesn’t look like much fun!

How hard should physical activity

be?

Vigorous, moderate and light physical activity

The majority of our physical activity should be of moderate difficulty.

This means that our heart rate and breathing rate will increase but we should still be able to have a conversation.

We shouldn’t be exhausted after exercise!

Work at your own pace until being active becomes more comfortable.

We should also include short periods of vigorous exercise.

Vigorous exercise is when we are working really hard and would not be able to have a conversation.

This type of exercise should be kept to a short period of time.

LETS TRY IT!

See the difference between light, moderate and vigorous exercise.

Lets start by walking on the spot.

How much physical activity should we get in one day?

Canada’s physical activity guide recommends 90 minutes of physical activity a day.

See chart within your activity guide.

If you are just starting to be active, begin with an

extra 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day. Replace time that you would usually watch TV or play video games with physical activity.

Active Lifestyle for Busy Kids!

90 minutes a day seems like a lot of activity to fit into one day!

Remember that your activity adds up throughout the day.

For example:

Walking to and from school

20 minutes

+

Playing with friends at lunch time

30 minutes

+ or

Going to practice or playing after school.

40 minutes

Do you get the recommended amount of physical activity?

In your workbook try to remember how much physical activity you did yesterday.

Were you physically active for 90 minutes?

Need ideas on how to be more

physically active? Look in your

workbook for more ideas!