LIVE WELL FERGUSON
April 2009

There are as many ways to be active and stay fit as there are people so there are choices out there for each of us. Keeping health level and experience in mind these four components should be included.

The Fantastic Four include:

Walking
Dedicate 30 minutes a day (10 continuous minutes 3 times a day counts) Walking increases your stamina and prepares your body for strength training, and is has the highest compliance rate of any exercise.

Stength
Strengthening foundation muscles; legs, chest, shoulders, back and abdominals is the most efficient strength training because they are the body's core. Strong abdominals help relieve excess strain on the lower back and provide a base for overall strength.

Cardiovascular Stamina
Cardio exercise can be described as an activity that raises ones heart rate for a period of time. Sweating increases stamina, burns calories and improves the function and efficiency of the heart, as well as lowers blood pressure.

Flexibility
Flexible muscles help prevent injuries. Having pliable and loose muscles makes everyday routines easier.

With the onset of Spring gardening and yard work allows for many opportunities to put the Fantastic Four into action. Did you know for every minute of gardening a man uses 9 calories and a woman uses 6.

Around Ferguson there are many activities to participate in and get your muscles moving, like…

• Call the Parks and Rec office(521-4661) to join the Ferguson Walkers, or to join a class
• Help the volunteers who keep the city's plants and flowers weeded and seeded, call Public Works (524-5199)
• Garden at one of the new neighborhood gardens starting soon, call Natasha Ramey (524-5196)
• Join the team of Ferguson residents who will walk/run a 5K April 18 in Forest Park, call Peggy Faul(522-8809)
• On May 2, from 10am to 1pm participate in the Live Well Fair held at Ferguson United Methodist Church, 33 S. Florissant Rd.

There are many ways to Live Well in Ferguson!

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