When starting an exercise routine it is important to identify your barriers and find solutions to overcome them. Check out these common barriers and solutions from the American Heart Association.
- Barrier: Lack of time
Solutions: For one week observe your routine, find 3 times you can fit 30 minutes of exercise into your routine. Select physical activity that is convenient to do and fits in easily with your routine, this could be doing exercises during commercial breaks or walking around your neighborhood.
- Barrier: Friends and family don’t share your interest in physical activity
Solutions:Ask your friends and family for their support for your goals. Invite them to exercise with you. Group fitness classes and walking clubs are great ways to socialize while working out.
- Barrier: Lack of motivation and/or energy
Solutions: Determine what time of day you feel energetic and schedule your activity for that time. Planning ahead can help you stay motivated. Make your exercise part of your to do list. Joining exercise classes and groups is a great way to have accountability and motivation.
- Barrier: Lack of resources/equipment
Solutions: Choose activities that don’t require a lot of equipment. Walking, jogging and jumping rope are great options that require minimal resources. Find convenient, inexpensive resources in your community. Worksite wellness groups, parks and recreations programs, and walking clubs are great examples of convenient and inexpensive resources.
- Barrier: Family caregiving obligations
Solutions: Get moving with your kids, playing running games like tag, going for a walk, and dancing are great ways to ensure your kids are getting their daily physical activity requirements to stay healthy as well.
- Barrier: Frequent work or leisure travel
Solutions: Book hotels that have a fitness center and/or a pool. Bring equipment with you when you travel like resistance bands or a jump rope. Another great option is joining a gym that has multiple locations throughout the nation.
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Source: American Heart Association