Sticking with exercises, with lifestyle expert Carolyn Sandry

Very often, the hardest part of exercise for many is getting started, but once you discover how great exercise can make you feel, hopefully you’ll have no problem sticking with it. Just in case you do need some extra encouragement, here are some tips to help you on your way.

• Choose an exercise you will enjoy. You don’t need to be pumping iron at the gym or pounding it out on the treadmill. Fun activities such as rock climbing, ice skating, salsa, boxing style classes, rambling or playing ball in the park all count towards your daily 30 minutes. If you are tight for time, combine activity with chores: vacuum the house with vigour; polish the windows extra hard and fast; skip the carwash and do it by hand; sweep the drive and rake up leaves in the garden; walk to the local shops and carry your bags home. All of these activities will challenge your body in one way or another.
• Find an exercise buddy: by making plans with a friend, you’ll be more likely to stick with it and try new things. Also, you can motivate each other to push a little harder and keep going.
• Mix it up: it’s important to vary your activity as your body will quickly adapt and get used to the same exercise. Changing activities frequently will keep your body challenged and prevent boredom from setting in.
• Move more; take the stairs, not the lift; get off the bus one stop early and walk further; leave the car at home and walk the kids to school; get up from your desk and go up and down the stairs a few times. All of these small changes will make a big difference.
• Set goals: in order to stay motivated, it’s important that you give yourself something to work towards. Make your goals short term and achievable, such as being able to swim ten lengths or walk 5,000 steps every day and reward yourself as you tick off goals with a delicious treat or a relaxing massage. Get a pedometer and then you can see exactly what you do each day.
• Think positive: even if you’re finding the going tough, there are many unseen benefits to exercise, such as improved sleep, better circulation and less stress, which may just improve the lives of those around you too.

Before beginning any type of exercise program, it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider to make sure the program you choose is safe. If there are reasons that prevent you from doing certain types of exercise, your doctor can discuss possible alternatives that may suit you better.