Most
people want to be more active. And lots of individuals do find ways to
include physical activity in their daily routine. The following tips may
help you to keep physical activity a part of your Active Lifestyle.
Avoid hassles. Some activities are easier to do than others. You can
walk, run, or cycle right from your front door, for example. Swimming
or an aerobics class may not be so convenient. Make sure your activity
interests you enough that you can build in any travel time or cope with
any inconveniences that might crop up.
Set goals. Set goals if this will help you stick with your program. Your
goals should be personally relevant and realistic, and they should involve
a reasonable period of time — six-week goals, for example, rather
than weekly targets.
Keep records. Use a little book or calendar to keep track of what you
do. Recording your activity sessions can remind you of days missed, and
it helps you to see how much progress you are making
Use rewards. Rewards help some people persist, so use them if you like
them. It's your program, so you decide on the prize!
Keep talking. If you are doing endurance activities like jogging, cycling,
or swimming, they should be invigorating but not too demanding. Use the
talk test as a guide: if you are breathless and unable to talk while exercising,
you're going faster than you need to. You can also go by how it feels.
Activity should be done at a comfortable level, somewhere between fairly
light and somewhat hard. Avoid a pace that feels hard or very hard.
Don't overdo it. Your activity should increase your energy level, not
reduce it; make you feel better, not worse. If you have a feeling of tiredness
that lingers after your sessions, difficulty in sleeping, or a build-up
of fatigue, you're doing too much. Experiment and find the amount of activity
that's just right for you.
Avoid boredom. Routines are good, but when you get into a rut, it's time
for a change. Boredom is self-inflicted. Don't be a slave to any program.
Make some changes in your routine and soon your activity will be fun again.
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