Regular exercise has long been identified as an essential element of good
health. Despite this fact, many struggle to make
exercise a regular habit. Below are some
helpful tips that can help individuals stick with an exercise program.
Make
Exercise Convenient: Incorporating
regular exercise into a busy life necessitates some planning and sacrifice so
it becomes a priority. This may require
scheduling exercise into everyday routines and/or making regular exercise as
convenient as possible, thereby increasing the likelihood that it remains a
priority. Exercise does not need to be
time consuming. Regular bouts of
exercise for as little as 30 minutes a day can have a positive impact on
health.
Make
Exercise Safe: An
exercise that may be considered safe for one individual may not be safe for
another due to age, physical limitations, and other health concerns. If you are not sure where to start, consult
with a knowledgeable health care provider who can assist in choosing activities
that are appropriate for you. If you
have been inactive for a period of time, gradually ease into activity and take
it slow.
Make
Exercise Fun: Individuals
should choose a range of exercise activities that they enjoy. Performing these activities with a workout
buddy, friend, or family member also results in the exercise being more
satisfying. Those individuals who choose
fitness and recreational activities they enjoy are more likely to be consistent
with those activities. Having another
individual to share this with also increases the likelihood that you will
continue with the exercise activity.
Make
Exercise Feel Good: Not only does exercise make you physically stronger;
it also has the benefits of releasing excess tension, building self-esteem, and
stimulating the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals called endorphins. Although there may be some initial physical
discomfort when beginning a new exercise program, this may be your body’s
normal response when starting a new activity and should not last more than one
to two weeks. If discomfort or pain
persists beyond this point, seek advice from an experienced individual to make
sure the exercise you are performing is appropriate and being done correctly.
Make
Exercise Practical: Individuals
beginning an exercise program need to have realistic expectations about the
amount of time they can invest, the activities they will enjoy engaging in, and
the physical and psychological benefits they expect to experience.
Regular
exercise leads to tremendous health benefits that can be initiated by
individuals of any age or shape. For
more information on health, wellness, and exercise, visit www.nhwc.ca.
This article is a basic summary for educational purposes
only. It is not intended, and should not
be considered, as a replacement for consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a
duly licensed health practitioner.
