Winnipeg doctor Kevin Saunders writing prescriptions for exercise

Doctors at a unique medical facility in Winnipeg are starting to write some unusualprescriptions.

"A lap a day keeps the doctor away" is one of the mottos at the Seven Oaks Wellness Institute (SOWI), a fitness facility attached to the Seven Oaks General Hospital on LeilaAvenue, where doctors have started prescribing exercise instead of pills.

Dr. Kevin Saunders is one of the founders of the SOWIand the medical director. He saidexercise is an effective treatment for all kinds of illnesses, including hypertension, Type 2diabetes, high cholesterol and even some forms of cancer.

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The facility offers clients a more holistic approach to fitness, helping people from all walks of life to understand what kinds of exercise they should be doing, and what they need to avoid if it puts their health in jeopardy.

The SOWI also has the advantage of being attached to a hospital, in case a client should need emergency medical attention something that does occur from time to time. This allows them to take on more high-risk clients than other fitness facilities.

Saunders saidthe SOWI is needed now more than ever, because too many things in our lives have become automated, and, where our grandparents had to find time to relax, we need to find time to be more active.

"Our bodies were meant to be in motion," said Saunders, whoblames modernsedentary lifestyles for many of the health concerns facingsociety in the West. "When patients come in I ask them 'what are you doing? Are you getting out?'"

People assumed I was sick . . . I was in the best shape of my life!- Dave Vanderwees

He saidthe sharp increase in people coming into his office suffering from the effects of a sedentary lifestyle has prompted him to start writing prescriptions for exercise and Dave Vanderwees is living proof that the philosophyworks.

Five years ago Vanderwees's doctor told him he was obese, had high blood pressure and way too much cholesterol, and wanted to put him on medication.

Thepills came with some side-effects, like memory loss;Vanderwees told his doctor he was going to take up running instead, and would check back in a few months.

"I figured I would run five miles, or 50 laps around the [SOWI] track," saidVanderwees.

He bought himself a pair of runners and a membership at the SOWI. On his first dayhe could onlymanage a single lap, or about 160 meters.

"I was pretty upset," said Vanderwees. "But the next day I did two laps, which was a 100 per cent improvement!" According to Vanderwees, by the end of the week, he was up to five laps.

Within fouror fivemonths Vanderwees had lost 40 pounds, andhis friends and family assumed the worst.

"People assumed I was sick," said Vanderwees, adding"but I was in the best shape of my life!"

Five years later, Vanderwees runs full marathonsand hasdecided to takepart in a triathlon; which meanshe has had to learn how to swim.

He got into the pool for the first time last November.

"It was like running that first lap all over again," said Vanderwees. "I couldn't even swim 25 metres!"

As far ashis health goes, Vanderwees saidhe's dropped 50 poundsand his blood pressure and cholesterol are all well below normal.

As for the doctor who tried to put him on medication: "I never went back to see him," said Vanderwees.

Information Radio with Marcy Markusa is live on-location from the Seven Oaks Wellness Institute Monday from 6-8:30 a.m. on 89.3 FM.