Be Active
Increasing your level of physical activity has many health benefits.
Being active will lower your chances of developing over 25 chronic diseases- including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, colon cancer, and stroke.
Going from no activity to some activity has a huge health benefit.
The 2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep throughout the First Year Postpartum recommends that postpartum women and people accumulate at least 120 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (eg. brisk walking and muscular strengthening exercises, including those targeting the lower back) for clinically meaningful health benefits if possible. More details and specific information can be found here.
It is important to note that any increase in your level of activity is beneficial - especially going from completely sedentary to some activity. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor or nurse practitioner prior to starting a vigorous exercise program.
Finding an activity that you like doing and that you can do consistently is really important. You don’t necessarily need to spend any money or join a gym. There are many ways that you can exercise at little or no cost, even from your own home.
The hardest part is getting started. Once you find an activity that you enjoy and do it consistently, you will feel better, and want to keep doing it!
The whole day matters: building different levels of physical activity into daily routines and getting enough sleep contribute to a healthy 24 hours.
Limiting sedentary and screen time and getting enough sleep are important for overall health.
Some movement is better than none!