How to stay active
What is involved in staying active?
It can be frustrating to start a new habit of activity or exercise and then have to stop because something gets in the way—illness, travel, too many other things to do, or just having a bad day. Your goal is to get back in the habit and find a way to make it a routine part of your life.
If that sounds impossible, think about a simple habit like brushing your teeth. When you were small, maybe you had trouble remembering to brush your teeth every day. Now you probably brush your teeth without thinking much about it. And even if you miss a day, you always go back to brushing your teeth the day after. It can be that way with activity or exercise when you make it a habit.
Remember that you can't create a habit overnight. Keep at it, even if you slip up along the way. It can take as long as 3 months of repetition to form a habit, so every day is a step in the right direction.
Here are three important steps:
- Have your own reasons for wanting to stay active.
- Set goals. Include long-term goals as well as short-term goals that you can measure easily.
- Think about what might get in your way, and prepare for slip-ups.
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| Author: | Cynthia Tank | Last Updated: February 21, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Catherine D. Serio, PhD - Behavioral Health Richard B. Kreider, PhD, MX, DPC, FACSM, FASEP - Exercise Physiology | |
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