Older adults in Chilliwack seeking motivation to become physically active in 2026 can look to a program entering its fourth year at the Bob Chan-Kent Family YMCA.
The Choose to Move program is free, and was specifically designed for seniors who typically exercise fewer than 150 minutes per week, said Carol Benson-Hitch, activity coach at the Chilliwack Y.
The coach provides support one-on-one initially to create a customized fitness plan for each person, and then offers group support weekly to help with fitness motivation and accountability to achieve goals.
“Choose to Move has the potential to change the way you live for the better,” according to the online description.
Each week focuses on a different topic, and by Week 6, they’re talking about topics like preventing falls, but they also discuss stress management, and nutrition.
The Choose to Move group does not work out together but they do have short movement breaks when they meet. People can use the one-hour weekly group sessions to discuss their struggles, while encouraging and motivating each other to keep going on their fitness journey.
The Choose to Move initiative was created by the Active Aging Society, developed by a research team at the University of British Columbia, with funding from the B.C. government.
To register for the ice-breaker info session, Thursday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Y, email Carol Benson-Hitch at choosetomove.bcky@bc.ymca.ca
The Choose to Move program itself will begin the following week on Feb. 12 at the Bob Chan-Kent Family YMCA at 45844 Hocking Avenue.
See more details at www.choosetomove.ca
