Dr. Teresa C. Long

Dr. Theresa Long

Health Commissioner

City of Columbus Public Health

To protect our health and improve our lives, we all should strive for 60 minutes of physical activity on most days.

But, you don’t need an expensive gym membership to exercise. Making physical activity part of your family’s daily routine is one of the easiest ways to stay active and fit.

One of my favorite ways to get exercise every day is to take my dog Shadow for a walk.  She is always an eager exercise buddy and she never complains about the weather!

Sometimes, my family will join me which makes it a great time to reconnect after a long and busy day.  And some days, it’s just Shadow and me.  Regardless of the size of our group, it helps Shadow burn energy, it improves our mood – and it helps both of us maintain a healthy weight!

While I don’t always have time for the gym, I eat healthy foods and I stay active every day with Shadow.  You might not always have time either, so look for things you can work into your daily routine too.

And remember, it doesn’t have to be 60 minutes all at once.  You can break it up into smaller activities throughout the day.  It all adds up, so join Shadow and me – and just get moving!