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Fitness: 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 at least 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.
Test Your Knowledge
To stay physically active, you need to turn your activity into a habit.
TrueA habit is something you do almost without thinking. When a task like brushing your teeth or taking a walk becomes a regular habit, it's much easier to keep doing it over the long term. But it takes patience and practice.
FalseA habit is something you do almost without thinking. When a task like brushing your teeth or taking a walk becomes a regular habit, it's much easier to keep doing it over the long term. But it takes patience and practice.
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Why do you want to stay active?
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Fitness: Staying Active
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: August 4, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Heather Chambliss, PhD - Exercise Science | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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