Four ways to get active
1. The key to getting fitter is to keep it going every day
To help maintain regular activity levels, there are a number of things that you can do:
Learn the skill of pacing
Pacing is a really useful skill as it guides you to do the level of activity that is right for your body. When you pace activity, you take a break before tiredness or exhaustion force you to stop. Remember your Five Teaspoons of Energy.
Try doing activities outside during the day
Being outside in the daylight helps your body clock to stay in balance with day and night time patterns. It can help with stressful feelings too.
Avoid energetic activities shortly before sleep
Exercising late in the day ‘wakes up’ your body and so it can lead to problems falling or staying asleep.
To help with sleep, the best time to exercise is late in the afternoon or early evening. Find out more about sleep in Footstep 9.
Choose something easy and fun
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A gentle walk in a favourite place – pace the time and length
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Stretching and listening to your favourite radio programme
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Gentle yoga or Pilates, guided by a DVD, website or App
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Dancing to enjoyable music at home
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Planting bedding plants in tubs or flowerbeds
2. Explore local fitness and activity opportunities
Find out what is available in your local area.
It could be a fitness group – but anything that involves moving and stretching, such as a pottery class or a singing group, is also fine.
3. Keep motivated
This can be a tough one, so here are some tips:
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If the activity you choose is too much effort, simply do something else.
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Tell other people what you have achieved so that they can see your progress and support you.
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Find other people to do the activity with – fitness is more fun with friends, and that means you are more likely to keep it up.
4. Prioritise you
Remember if you do not look after yourself, you will not be able to support the person you care for.
