If you answered:

YES to one or more ques-

tions;

Talk to your doctor by phone or in person BEFORE you start becoming much more physically active or BEFORE you have a fitness appraisal. Tell your doctor about the PAR- Q and which questions you answered YES.

You may be able to do any activity you want – as long as you start slowly and build up gradually. Or, you may need to restrict your activities to those which are safe for you. Talk with your doctor about the kinds of activities you wish to participate in and follow his/her advice. Find out which community programs are safe and helpful for you. ( Gym, A e ro b i c s, Cyc l i n g , Running, etc.)

If you answered NO honestly to all PAR-Q questions, you can be reasonably sure that you can:

Start becoming much more physically active – begin slowly and build up gradually. This is the safest and easiest way to go. Take part in a fitness appraisal – this is an excellent way to determine your basic fitness so that you can plan the best way for you to live actively.

Delay becoming much more active:

If you are not feeling well because of a temporary illness such as a cold or a fever – wait until you feel better; or If you are or may be pregnant – talk to your doctor before you start becoming more active.

Please note: If your health changes so that you then answer YES to any of the above questions, tell your fitness or health professional. Ask whether you should change your physical activity plan.

It is important to check the health of your heart and the proper biomechanics of your body. If there is an additional intake medication, it is further advised to check on their side effects and how it affects your overall health. The doctors who are able to assist you in this matter would be your; General Physician (GP) if it’s related to cholesterol, diabetes or the general non com- municable diseases, Orthopedic doctor or sports physiologist for anything wrong with the biomechanics of the body.

In summary know yourself before you embark on this journey of a healthy lifestyle. Achieving truly good health, fitness, and mental well-being typically requires a change in one’s overall lifestyle. Hence, each individual should understand that their path to good health and fitness will not only be unique to themselves, but that their lifestyle change will take time, discipline and effort as well.

Next week on Live Healthy we will instruct you on how to start an activity by warming up and end the regime by cooling down, and the benefits of these two sessions!