The consequences of inactivity can be vast and frightening. Inactivity is linked to variety of health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. On the contrary, regular physical activity can help prevent chronic disease, premature death, and improve health and quality of life.
The idea of sweating it out indoors in a gym can make some people cringe, and more hesitant to exercise. But just look out the window! Living in beautiful British Columbia, there is plenty of incentive to get outdoors as we have some of the best scenery in the world to motivate us. And you don't have to be a mountain climber to reap the many benefits of hiking. Many cities in the province have a variety of local hiking trails, and you can locate and research these trails online by using resources such as www.walkbc.ca. The website is simple and easy to use. You simply type in your location and the website will display nearby trails, many of which specify distance in km.
Other useful websites include:
www.vancouvertrails.com (for those in the lower mainland. I use this one all the time!)
Please make sure to note the details about each trail. Some are very strenuous and definitely not a walk in the park! Others are multi-day and involve significant wilderness and camping experience. But there are also many shorter hikes, and hikers of all abilities will find something.