Bike Riding is one of those fun and challenging activities that will promote better health.

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System has a wide range of healthy living programs, including MOVE!, Shared Medical Appointments, and the Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program, these programs are designed to help Veterans maintain and improve their health, says Dr. Eduardo Martinez, Health Behavior Coordinator.

Exercise and physical activity are essential for optimal physical and emotional health.  An active lifestyle can help us increase our energy level and physical endurance.  Physical exercise can help us prevent conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and even certain types of cancer.

The VA Caribbean Healthcare System has a MOVE! Program which helps Veterans reach their weight management goals.

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 “We want Veterans to ask for and get the help they need", says Dr. Martinez.

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In our clinics, for example, our Nutritionists, Recreational Therapist and Psychologists experts are integrated into the patient’s treatment plan. In addition, physical exercise can help us handle depression, decrease stress, increase self-esteem, and develop a healthy sense of self-efficacy and independence. This, in turn, can result in a better quality of life and self-reliance as we engage in daily living activities. Exercise and physical activity can also help us spend time with family and friends, and to meet new friends and acquaintances. Finally, as we increase our activity level, we are more likely to enjoy natural environments and enjoy recreational opportunities in our neighborhoods.

Another service provided at VA Caribbean Healthcare System that is making a difference in Veterans’ lives is Shared Medical Appointments, a program in which Veterans can manage preventively chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and weight management. This is accomplished with the help of an inter-disciplinary clinical team called Patient Care Aligned Team (PACT).

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Exercise Tips by: 

Eduardo M. Martínez-Morales, Ph.D.
Health Behavior Coordinator
 
How much exercise do I need?

• It is recommended that we engage in at least 2 ½ hours of moderate intensity exercise.  How do we know that we are at a moderate level?  When you move your body you will be able to talk but not sing!
  What can you do to start?
• 
  First of all, identify your OWN reasons for exercising at this time—not the reasons that other people give you.  You are more likely to succeed if you are motivated by your own reasons.
  
• Identify activities that you consider challenging, fun, pleasant and comfortable.  Some people prefer to exercise in the company of others, indoors, while some individuals prefer to work out outdoors and individually.
• 
  Evoke successful past experiences with exercise.  What made these successful? Could you reproduce or adapt past strategies?
  
• Determine your current barriers (weather, time limitations, pain, medical conditions, poor family or spousal support, among others).  
• Plan a reasonable coping strategy for each barrier identified.
• 
  Identify uncomplicated and gradual activities that could lead you to larger challenges, both at a moderate to long-range levels.  For instance, short walks; (10 minutes) could lead to longer, more challenging walks (for example, 20-30 minutes).  Gradual successful experiences could be the basis of larger changes in the future.
  
• Finally, think about how confident you feel in reaching your goals.  If your confidence level is high, congratulations!  You are ready to pursue your goals.  If your confidence level is moderate or low, DON'T WORRY!  Simply identify what adjustments you might need to do in order to raise your confidence and chances of success.
  
• Remember, have fun in the process.

"I understand that making small changes, big accomplishments can occur", says Dr. Martinez.