Dr. Randy Gregg, Sports Medicine Doc and former Edmonton Oiler, shares how!
I spoke with Dr. Randy Gregg early on a brisk Saturday morning, as he was just getting in from walking all 4 of his family’s dogs. An energetic start to his weekend is perfectly in keeping with the healthy lifestyle Gregg grew up with and encouraged in his own children. The youngest of 6, Gregg grew up with a hockey rink in the backyard, an early start to an active lifestyle that would eventually lead to a professional sports career, including as an Edmonton Oiler during the team’s 1980’s heyday. Incredibly, Gregg earned a medical degree amongst his athletic achievements, while exhibiting a healthy balance between athleticism and thoughtfulness that is apparent when speaking with him about his family. When Gregg and his wife, Olympic Speed Skater Kathleen Vogt were raising their 4 children, they continued the backyard rink tradition. As a result, their children led an active lifestyle from an early age, two of whom went on to become Olympians themselves.
To raise a healthy family, Gregg emphasizes it’s not important for children to have the most expensive equipment, attend the best sports schools, or even have an appetite for competitive athletics. Placing too much emphasis on scoring goals and winning means we miss the opportunity for our children to learn what sports are supposed to teach: self confidence, camaraderie, strategy, and the chance to develop their skills at their level. Regardless of someone’s athletic prowess, all skill levels are worthy of support. Gregg points to Speed Skating as a good example. Skaters are measured against their personal best, rather than focusing only on scoring and winning.
Having a healthy family means leading by example. Healthy parents tend to raise healthy, active kids. Gregg says showing his children their parents’ willingness to get a red nose from being out in the cold meant their kids saw it as no big deal. Winter is our reality; even if you don’t like being on skates (me-I spend enough of my life being cold and wearing uncomfortable shoes, thank you!). There are lots of ways to get active during the winter months, from cross country skiing to making a snowman. Of course, limiting screen time and eating healthy, reasonable portions should be standard practice, but having an active family life from an early age is the key to lifelong health and wellness.
The youngest of 6, Gregg grew up with a hockey rink in the backyard, an early start to an active lifestyle that would eventually lead to a professional sports career, including as an Edmonton Oiler during the team’s 1980’s heyday.
Gregg has some Pandemic specific health advice as well. More in-home workouts have led to what he jokingly calls “Covid Knee” – a higher incidence of patients coming in with sore knees caused by barefoot home workouts on hard surfaces. So make sure you wear your running shoes when working out at home – or better yet, bundle up your family and get outside.
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