Executing and Maintaining Your Exercise Plan
After completing your supervised or health professional-supported exercise program, it’s vital to maintain or further build your exercise behavior. Here are some tips to help you stick to your exercise plan and stay active:
1. Realistic Goals:
- Review the goals you’ve set and ensure they are achievable and realistic. Adjust them if necessary to align with your current capabilities and lifestyle.
2. Experiences of Success:
- Reflect on achieved goals and outcomes, no matter how small. Celebrate your successes, as they boost your confidence and motivation.
3. Peer Support in Your Area:
- Seek support from friends, family, or acquaintances with an active lifestyle. Engage with individuals who can relate to your age and fitness level. They can offer encouragement, advice, and even recommend group activities or clubs in your community.
4. Positive Reactions from Your Environment:
- Pay attention to positive feedback from your environment regarding your efforts to improve fitness. Family, friends, and healthcare professionals can provide encouragement and support. Ignore negative comments and stay focused on your goals.
5. Signals from Your Own Body:
- Listen to your body’s response to increased exercise. Note any changes or improvements in your physical well-being. Consider how exercise makes you feel mentally and emotionally. Keeping track of these experiences reinforces the benefits of an active lifestyle.
6. Motivation:
- Recognize that rehabilitation and fitness-building involve ups and downs. When motivation wanes, reflect on the progress you’ve made and the improvements you’ve noticed from being active. Consider the consequences of stopping your activities and visualize the positive impact of continuing them.
- If you struggle to maintain motivation, don’t hesitate to seek support from your physiotherapist or healthcare provider. Asking for help is perfectly acceptable and can provide the assistance and encouragement you need to stay on track.
Maintaining an exercise routine requires commitment, support, and a positive mindset. By setting realistic goals, seeking peer support, acknowledging successes, and listening to your body, you can stay motivated and sustain your physical activity habits for long-term health and well-being.
