Getting Started

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With all the things that you have to do each day, finding the time and motivation to get moving can be challenging. Here are some suggestions for getting started:

• If you can't set aside one block of time, do short activities throughout the day, such as three 10-minute walks.
• Choose activities that are fun.
• Vary your activities, so you don't get bored. For instance, use different jogging, walking, or biking paths to vary your routine. Or bike one day, and jog the next.
• Join a hiking or running club.
• Create opportunities for activity, such as parking your car some distance from your destination and walking. If you ride the bus or train, get off one or two stops early and walk.
• Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Walk or bike to work or to the store.
• Be physically active at lunch with coworkers, family, or friends.
• Take breaks at work to stretch or take quick walks.
• Walk while you talk, if you're using a cell phone or cordless phone.
• Don't let cold weather keep you on the couch. You can find activities to do in the winter, such as exercising to a workout video.
• Doing yard work or household chores counts as physical activity. Turn on some upbeat music to help you do chores faster.
• If you have children, make time to play with them outside. Set a good example!
• If you're watching television, get up to change the channel. Also, walk around during commercials.
• Go dancing with your partner or friends.
• Turn activities into social occasions—for example, go to a movie after you and a friend work out.
• Plan active vacations that will keep you moving, such as taking tours and site-seeing on foot.
• Reward yourself when you achieve your weekly goals. For instance, reward yourself by going to a movie.
• Don't expect to notice body changes right away. It can take weeks or months before you notice some of the changes from being physically active, such as weight loss.
• If you live in a neighborhood where it is unsafe to be active outdoors, contact your local recreational center or church to see if they have indoor activity programs that you can join. You can also find ways to be active at home. For instance, you can do push-ups or lift hand weights. If you don't have hand weights, you can use canned foods or bottles filled with water or sand.

Content last updated June 25, 2008.