Tips for starting aerobic exercise
by Edmond Cleeman, MD
Tip #1: Some people don’t start because they don’t see themselves as an “exerciser.” We may need to reframe that terminology from exercise to physical activity. Everyone can imagine themselves as being an active person and it doesn’t come with some of the preconceived notions or hesitations of exercising. We were all active when we were younger, but at some point that changed. If you have not exercised and this is new, you should start slowly and at a light intensity. You want to avoid an injury and avoid over taxing your body that is not used to exercise. Start simply with walking at a slow pace and build up gradually. Your body and heart need to get accustomed to exertion.
Walking is free, easy and can be done just about anywhere.
No gym membership required.
Tip #2: Exercise is not an all or nothing proposition. This is where people get tripped up and give up before they even start. Science shows that performing less than the Physical Activity Guidelines still provides health benefits. For people transitioning from complete inactivity to some exercise it’s fine to do just a little bit, even below the recommended amount. The great news is that even small amounts of exercise can provide significant health benefits in this group of beginners.
Tip #3: Exercise does not require significant chunks of time commitment. People are busy and may feel that they don’t have a 30 minute block of time to dedicate to exercise everyday. This is another hazard where people get tripped up and give up before they even start. The good news is that any amount of activity is better than none. You can break it up into short bouts of activity throughout the day, 5-10 minute increments are ok and provide health benefits.
Tip #4: Don’t get sucked into the body image trap. Avoid the pitfall of associating exercise with body shape and weight loss. Body image and weight loss are difficult to achieve, and many people become discouraged and give up. This makes it difficult for many to initiate or maintain physical activity. Let’s refocus goals to align with our mission that exercise is a powerful tool to achieve better health. Your primary mission is to become and stay physically active, which improve quality of life. These health benefits start almost immediately even if you don’t see them!
Disclaimer: The content contained herein is not designed to, and does not, provide medical advice. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment but is for general informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition or treatment options. Please contact a healthcare professional prior to exercising. Never rely on information in this article, video, YouTube channel or website in place of seeking medical advice and treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of something you may have read or seen. If you think you may have a medical emergency you should seek immediate medical treatment. Do NOT use this video for medical emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call a physician or qualified healthcare provider, or call 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment or the treatment of others based on anything you have seen or read in this video.
