Keeping Up with Your Exercise Program!
So, you’ve completed your physical therapy and you may feel that you’re through with exercising. Don’t let your graduation from the program fool you into thinking you no longer need to work out. Remember what got you to this point in your recovery. Daily exercise will help continue to improve your health and well-being as you begin to perform your routine at home.
You may feel it’s easy to keep up with your exercises but its just as easy to talk yourself out of them. Here are some ways to keep yourself motivated to help maintain a healthier you.
Do it for yourself. It’s been shown that people who work out because they enjoy it are the ones who stay with exercising longer.
One step at a time. Take it easy as you get started. It’s better to work within your abilities, and gradually get stronger than to push too hard, too soon, and re-injure yourself.
Make it fun. Do different types of workouts to keep your interest. You don't have to create a new routine every week, but you want to change it up a little every 4 to 8 weeks.
Partner up. Having a workout partner can keep you going in the right direction. It's not easy to say,”No” to a friend. Studies have shown you'll also work out longer when you’re with someone else.
Make it a habit. Your workout should be just as much a habit as eating or going to work. In a short time, exercise can become part of your daily routine.
Be realistic. Start slowly and increase your workouts a little at a time. Begin a few days a week and increase it until your target of five days a week for 30 minutes a day.
Chart it. Keep a journal to record your progress; how much you run, walk, and the calories you burn. Seeing what you do, on paper, can motivate you to push harder.
Reward progress. It takes weeks to see real changes. It can come as weight loss or going down a size in clothing. Feel free to enjoy this accomplishment with a day off or a second helping of Mom’s meatloaf and let it motivate you as you move ever closer towards your goals.
