LECTURES

Ottawa Heart Institute Alumni Fall Lecture
October 7, 2003

"Survival of the Fittest: A Guide to Exercise for People with Heart"
by Dr. Robert Reid

Reid Speaks to The Alumni

"Just do it" was the key message to Heart Institute Alumni gathered to hear Dr. Robert Reid, a behavioral scientist at the Institute's Rehab Centre. Speaking on "The Role of Physical Activity in Maintaining Health" Reid asked "how do we get people to do what they are supposed to do"? Reid assured his audience that physical fitness is the best medicine. Fitness predicts both mortality and quality of life. Through research studies, he demonstrated that there is a direct correlation between increased fitness and survival rates of heart patients. Fortunately for couch potatoes, Reid did not urge dramatic workouts with complex equipment in a gym. Walking is great! Research has shown that quantity is as important as vigour. 40 to 60 minutes of good physical activity, and that includes walking, will put you on the path to good health. It is important to accumulate the activity time each day, rather than worry about the intensity of the activity, Reid said. Only about 1/3 of heart patients are getting as much physical activity as they should. Reid stressed the importance of attending the cardiac rehab unit. Those who don't reduce their activity to about 1/2 of what it should be.

Reid stressed the importance of MOTIVATION.

• get dressed for activity
• get out of the house
• be in the right place for physical activity
• set low standards so as not to get discouraged
• measure what you are doing so as to get feedback
• don't wait for inspiration, JUST DO IT!

Then he stressed the importance of CONFIDENCE. You get confidence from:

• each little success
• seeking professional help
• starting slowly
• letting yourself be persuaded
• watching others and learning form their experience

Above all, when it comes to physical activity, JUST DO IT!

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