Flourish - eMag - Mar 25 - Flipbook - Page 31
BUT HOW DO I
STICK WITH IT?
Now it’s time to start your exercise journey and work
towards achieving your goals. As mentioned, it can be
hard to stick with a new exercise regimen. Luckily, there
are a few things you can do to increase your chances of
sticking with exercise long term!
1. Find a type of exercise you enjoy – if you don’t enjoy something, why
would you continue doing it? There are hundreds of ways to be physically
active. You don’t need to force yourself to do an activity you dislike.
Exercise does not have to mean going for a run or lifting weights in the
gym. It could include dancing, skipping rope, swimming, group classes
like Pilates, playing sport, walking, hiking, or even yard work (mowing,
gardening). Try different activities until you 昀椀nd one you enjoy; you’ll
be more likely to stick with it.
2. Recruit an exercise buddy – research shows that exercising
with another person can help you stick with it because it makes
exercise more enjoyable and keeps you accountable. Your exercise
buddy could be a family member, friend, co-worker, community
group, or local sports team.
3. Make a plan – creating a plan that considers when, where, and
how your exercise will be done helps to form exercise habits.
o When – Schedule exercise into your week as you would
appointments, meetings, or catch-ups. Pick a time that suits you and
your body. If you like to start your day early, schedule exercise in the
morning; if you have more energy later in the day, plan it for the
afternoon or evening.
o Where – Will you exercise at home, a local gym, or outdoors?
o How – Think about the speci昀椀cs. How long will your sessions
be? Will they be done in one block or spread throughout the day?
Will you need speci昀椀c equipment, transport, or clothing?
4. Make a back-up plan – unexpected obstacles can disrupt your
routine. A back-up plan helps reduce the number of missed sessions.
For instance, if you plan to walk outdoors but it’s too hot or wet, what
will you do instead?
WANT SOME EXTRA SUPPORT?
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) can set you on
the right path, whether that’s helping you set achievable
goals, keeping you accountable, or 昀椀nding the type of
exercise best suited to you. Find your closest AEP here.
