Watch: How do politicians plan on reaching their fitness resolutions?
It’s that time of year again: the time when people across the country make resolutions with the best intentions to stay away from making excuses.
A familiar refrain around Jan. 1 is the pledge to get more exercise, eat more fruits and vegetables and shed a few pounds.
A few weeks later, the refrain turns to wishing there was more time and fewer obligations.
Certainly, politicians are no different. Between hearings, committee meetings, question period and travel to and from their constituencies, finding time to exercise can become difficult.
One multi-partisan group of senators and MPs, however, have decided to make exercise and spending time together a part of their schedules.
“It’s part of our sanity that keeps us healthy,” said Vancouver-area Conservative MP John Weston. “It keeps us effective and it makes us better Canadians.”
Weston is among the group of politicians that meets up twice a week whenever Parliament is in session.
On Tuesdays, the group heads out for a five-kilometre run that Weston organizes.
Then on Thursdays, the group gathers at a swimming pool near the Hill, where former Olympic swim coach Pierre Lafontaine offers advice and encouragement.
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But that outside encouragement isn’t always enough.
“You have to discipline yourself, to give yourself that half-hour a day, or an hour a day, or an hour every two days, in order to just shut it down,” NDP MP Peter Stoffer said in an interview. “Go for a walk, do some cycling, do some running, swimming, whatever it is that you do, just to get your frame of mind back in place.”
That philosophy is one this group of politicians is hoping to instil across the country.
“We can become the fittest nation on earth. And that’s my goal as we move towards our 150th celebration, to help make Canada the fittest nation on earth.” Weston said.
The West Vancouver MP successfully authored a bill expected to be passed into law next June, which would declare the first Saturday of every June National Health and Fitness Day.
Who were his biggest supporters as the bill wound its way through Parliament? His workout buddies; It was an all-party effort.
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