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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Our Goals for Moving More

We also have to set a goal for the activities we plan to undertake. What? Goals again? Why do we have to set these goals, you asked? Well, we can't just approach any change without a plan of action. We can't be like Speedy Gonzales and go on helter-skelter, willy-nilly or whatever you call it.

First we will do is assess where we are. The starting point of where we are will determine what we will do as we begin this life-changing endeavor. Are we on the couch potato stage or are training to join a marathon? Two different stages will need to start at a different level.

We want to set goals that are within reach. If we are not presently active, do we insist on getting ready for a marathon? Of course not. We will just be setting ourselves up for failure. The best way is to start slow. Perhaps take a walk for ten minutes a day, three times a week.

Then make that five days a week. Once we get comfortable we can graduate to twenty minutes a day, and so on. We can keep increasing our goal. And as we become comfortable, have established the habit and have built our strength, then we can increase our activity to 30 minutes a day.

We can congratulate ourselves then because 30 minutes a day is the minimum exercise goal that has been advocated by authorities in the field. It will be good for us to record our activity in the journal for then we will be able to track our progress better.

Did you know we can use a pedometer to record the number of steps we take each day? What is a pedometer? It is a small inexpensive contraption that will record our steps. This way, we will have real help in measuring our level of activity.

It is also a good idea to let the doctor know about the plan. We never know if we have a condition that can be exacerbated by exercise. Disease of the eyes will be a good reason not to do any strenuous activity but the doctor may approve walking as a form of exercise.

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