When talking about physical activity Moose Jaw's Jim Large says you need to think about more than yourself.
"Do it for your loved ones, especially children and grandchildren. The last several generations have had the mantra, 'My kids are going to have it better and easier than I did.' We have done such a good job of that, that we have not only made their life easier we have also made it SHORTER."
Large is referring to the New England Journal of Health which reads, "For the first time in history, our children's generation is expected to have a shorter and less healthy life than our parents."
Large models a physically active lifestyle and works to help others be physically active. He is an avid cyclist and kayaker and has implemented a bicycle recycling program in Moose Jaw. Large also acts as the Facilitator for the Moose Jaw in motion Action Team, is President of the Moose Jaw Road Pavers and Mountain Bike Club and has organized the Dusty Moose Triathlon two years in a row.
Large has been physically active all his life, but hasn't always been passionate about physical activity. He grew up playing sports and spent most of his adult life teaching as a recreation instructor and coaching various sports teams. Like many other parents and coaches, Large let his personal fitness fall to the wayside while he focused on helping his athletes and children reach their athletic potential.
Two separate incidents drew Large's attention back to physical activity. The focus of his work changed to become more fitness-oriented and one of his four sons asked him to cycle from Calgary to Moose Jaw. Large was hooked after the 686 kilometre trip and became progressively more involved in cycling. In 2000 he cycled across Canada with a tour organized by Cycle Canada.
Large is grateful that he doesn't face any barriers to being active. He says, "There are so many reasons to be physically active: health, quality of life, energy, less risk of chronic disease and on and on. There are rarely any reasons to not be, just excuses for physical inactivity."
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