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Making fitness a habit

Healthwise
By Debby Golonka, MPH

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Until physical activity becomes a habit for you, staying active may seem difficult. Here are some tips that may help you make it a habit.

  • When you first start an exercise program, try to exercise at the same time every day. You can vary the time and place later, but creating a habit requires repetition.
  • Schedule your physical activity. Block it out on your calendar or day planner. Do several weeks in advance if you can, so that you get used to thinking of that time as already scheduled.
  • Do your physical activity regularly for at least 3 months. Experts say that it takes about 3 months of repetition to form a habit. For some people, 3 months is not long enough to form the habit. Changing seasons and weather may interfere with establishing a habit. Keep it up until you think about physical activity as a normal part of your day.

Credits

Author Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Heather Chambliss, PhD - Exercise Science/Weight Management
Last Updated August 26, 2008
Last Updated: 08/26/2008

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