"I need to be motivated...."

Overall I think those of us in the physical activity field have done an okay job on creating awareness. Canadians are aware of the importance of physical activity. I am not even just guessing on this statement! Back in 2007, CFLRI conducted research and found that most of Canadians believe that there are benefits to being physically active. They also found Canadian’s attitudes about physical active to be positive. For example, 92% indicate that physical activity is pleasant. Pretty positive right?

So… If the majority of Canadians believe there are health benefits to being physically active and they view physical activity as positive- why are do we have low physical activity participation? It does make you stop and scratch you head.

Of course the answer is complex and laden with many issues and barriers. One key issue, I suspect, is motivation.

Ahhhh motivation... this fleeting entity that so many want but cannot find when it comes to physical activity.

In fact one of the most sited barriers to physical activity is lack of motivation. The same series of surveys done by CFLRI also found that the Canadians who are the least active report their top barrier is a lack of interest/motivation to being physically active.

Do I hear the word 'duh' coming from the crowd? This fact comes as no surprise to many folks who have been in the physical activity field. We hear about this all to often. So, as practitioners and community leaders, we often wonder how we can influence motivation. And in some cases, the people who want to influence also look to us to provide motivation as well. Yikes!

A little unfair isn't it? Especially since motivation appears to be a complex mystery to most of us. In fact, it is such complex huge issue there are in fact researchers who study motivation. A colleague of mine, here at Centre, is very familiar with the psychological side of physical activity and motivation. I encourage you to check out this link. She wrote this piece on our website about motivation and I think it’s excellent.

To summarize one of her points: There are different sources of motivation. Some come from within the person (internal) and some come from outside sources (external)... and often what really influences a person is a mix of both.

As well, what motivates a person will vary from person to person. What motivates me to drag my butt off the couch may not be what motivates you.

I suspect us practitioners may often focus on the external motivators when we are trying to influence others. This can be risky, as we may end up doing more damage than good. For example focusing on guilt and fear.

That being said, I don’t want to be a negative ninny about external motivation. In fact, in many cases it can help encourage someone to try a new activity out for the first time.

The important thing to keep in mind is that for an activity to stick and behaviour change to happen (i.e. being physically active regularly) the motivation has to primarily be internal.

So, what are we to do??

We need to keep in mind it is okay to provide some external motivation- initially. But we must recognize that for this behavior to stick, the folks we are working with, need to find the internal drive to continue.

Along the way we can provide them guidance to help them discover what their motivation is, and how they may in fact harness it. If you have time, check this article out on motivational interviewing.

We can also look at how we can shape our programs and the social and physical environments that people may experience. We know people like to have fun, socialize and feel safe. So lets make it that way for them.

Finally, we need to allow ourselves not to feel responsible for another persons' source of motivation. I know, I know- sometimes easier said than done.

Growing more than vegetables

Sometimes, we forget that physical activity is really just our body moving. We tend to always think about planned physical activity such as a walking club, being in a fitness centre or riding a bike in the park. Of course these are important, however, any opportunity for people to move, can be beneficial. And sometimes we can find opportunities to do this not in traditional physical activity programs or activities.

Here is an example for you.

I have the immense pleasure with being involved in a community garden in my neighbor hood. A lot of blood, sweat and tears has gone in to make sure the garden was open for its first year this May. So far things have been going pretty smoothly.

I got involved in the garden because I love plants, and I have this itch to dig around in the earth. I get rather excited to watch things grow.

I have learned rather quickly that a community garden it 80% dealing with logistics and people and only 20% gardening.

One of the issues we have struggled with (and I assume many other gardens do too) is water. We have two gigantic water barrels, and we collect water off the roof of a neighboring church. This however means that to water one’s plot you have to walk back and forth with your watering can at least 3 times to sufficiently water your plot. Perhaps more if it’s been super dry.

So of course, as humans do best, we look at ways to make this easier… "Let’s try a hose!" Oh, hmm, a hose doesn’t reach all the plots, and the water pressure is horrible. "Perhaps we can move the rain barrels?" Oh, hmm, they are ridiculously heavy and really there isn't better spot to collect as much water. "Hmmmmmm…" And debate rages on.

Of course being the “active living “person in the crowd I began pondering the logic in trying to make things easier. Our inconvenient watering system is actually a perfect opportunity for some accidental exercise.

Accidental exercise?? Well I am referring to the exercise the pops into your day- not from plans of going for a workout… but simply through living. It may be walking to and from work. It may be while you are shopping. It may be house chores, it may be shoveling snow… and it may be while you lug watering cans back and forth from your garden plot to the rain barrels that are 50 feet away.

So.. .why do I tell you all this? Consider some of your community initiatives and programs. They may not have anything to do with physical activity… but… perhaps there are some ways you can incorporate or keep some “accidental exercise” hidden in there. How, can you help people move just a little bit more?

Yup.. I think I am going to encourage us to keep the water system as is.

Sidewalks that stop

How annoying are sidewalks that just stop?

You are out enjoying a pleasant walk in the evenings- especially now since it’s lighter out… and then boom… no more sidewalk.

Well, as an able bodied person.. I do have some options…

I can:
1. Turn around
2. Cross the street, where I might find the sidewalk does continue over there…
3. Walk on the grass/gravel/mud
4. Walk on the road

Now… What if I was out pushing my kid in the stroller... or what if I have bad knees and hips.. or what if I rely on a walker or even a wheelchair. How does this affect my options?

We can make the mighty step to go outside for a walk...whether it is for our health, stress relief, or for the health of our dog… but we need a place to walk or wheel, safety and comfortably. Bottom line is we are all pedestrians.

We also need to all be advocates. How many of us call up the city/town.. .and let them know of our abruptly ending sidewalks? Let them know that our sidewalks have mutated and parts of it are being overtaken by roots and cracks? Or that we simply need a sidewalk put in place.

If you do anything this spring/summer season, take the time to let your town/city know about at least one area where the sidewalk and trails could perhaps continue or be improved.