Tips for being more Active

The following is an excerpt from ADA.

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following tips to becoming more active:

• Walk, cycle, jog, skate, etc., to work, school, the store, or place of worship.
• Park the car farther away from your destination.
• Get on or off the bus several blocks away.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Play with children or pets. Everybody wins. If you find it too difficult to be active after work, try it before work.
• Take fitness breaks-walking or doing desk exercises-instead of taking cigarette or coffee breaks.
• Perform gardening or home repair activities.
• Avoid labor-saving devices-turn off the self-propel option on your lawn mower or vacuum cleaner.
• Use leg power-take small trips on foot to get your body moving.
• Exercise while watching TV (for example, use hand weights, stationary bicycle/treadmill/stairclimber, or stretch).
• Dance to music.
• Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office. You'll be ready for activity wherever you go!
• Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.
• Walk while doing errands.

For people who have been inactive for a while or those having trouble sticking with it, the ADA recommends the following:

• Use a sensible approach by starting out slowly.
• Begin by choosing moderate-intensity activities you enjoy the most. By choosing activities you enjoy, you'll be more likely to stick with them.
• Gradually build up the time spent doing the activity by adding a few minutes every few days or so until you can comfortably perform a minimum recommended amount of activity (30 minutes per day).
• As the minimum amount becomes easier, gradually increase either the length of time performing an activity or increase the intensity of the activity, or both.
• Vary your activities, both for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.
• Explore new physical activities.
• Reward and acknowledge your efforts.