Tips to get more active and stay active
Lifestyle change like increasing
physical activity is a process that take time and requires support. If you are finding it
difficult to motivate yourself, and to stay motivated, here are some helpful
suggestions for finding support and maintaining change.
Journal or keep a diary –
keep track of your goals in a daily journal. It could be as simple as writing a
couple of words or drawing a star to indicate something has been achieved, or
you could be more detailed including things like recording the amount,
frequency, and quality of the areas you are tracking.
Create visual or audible reminders – put notes
or pictures in prominent places, or set reminders on your computer or phone.
Apps on your smartphone – there are
many popular phone apps that are designed to help people achieve their goals.
There are a list of useful apps at the end of BCNA’s Exercise and breast cancer
booklet download a copy here.
Wearable health and fitness tracking
devices – these can monitor areas including your daily steps, how
long you are sedentary for, your sleep quality and more. This can be as
technical as a smart watch or as simple as a pedometer.
Maree O’Connor a Physiotherapist in Melbourne has put extensive development and evaluation into creating
the Lymphactive Get Moving pack. These packs have been designed to get people
moving and empower them to take steps in the right direction in achieving their
goals. Packs include a pedometer, journal and stress ball. As an added benefit
during the month of October $10 from each purchase will be donated to BCNA. For
more information about the Get Moving pack visit http://lymphactive.com.au/.
Involve a buddy – whether
it be a friend, co-worker, or family member, someone else on your journey will
keep you motivated and accountable.
Join a club – it may be easier
and more convenient for some to slot into the timetable of a sports club or gym
close to home or work.
Train for a competition - community events and competitions are carried out
throughout the year, and can be used to set targets in regards to personal
fitness. Some people are very motivated by exercising with others. Sign up to a community walking or
running event (you don’t have to run, lots of people walk the route). Community
events and competitions are carried out throughout the year, and can be used to
set targets in regards to personal fitness. You can even fundraise online to support BCNA https://www.bcna.org.au/news-events/participate-in-a-fun-run/ .
Be creative – repeating the
same exercises and recipes over and over can get a little boring, but you may
be able to keep yourself motivated by shaking up your exercise routine and meal
plan.
Don’t
push yourself to hard or feel guilty - if you push yourself too hard day after day you will get tired and lose
motivation very quickly. Your body needs time to rest and recover – there’s no
need to feel guilty if you need a rest day or two.
Reward
yourself - if you
achieve your goal no matter how big or small remember to reward yourself!
Comments
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I think I have used or followed all these tips in my on-going quest to have the best quality of life I can! I especially think rewarding yourself or celebrating your achievements is important.
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I stay motivated for exercise and healthy eating by posting my daily workouts etc in a facebook group that I have set up to help keep people accountable. Knowing that people are expecting me to post (and we have a chat about who did what) gets me up and moving.3
