Did you know that most adults aren’t nearly as active as they should be? The good news is, it’s never too late to get moving. There’s always going to be plenty of reasons why you can’t exercise if you look hard enough, but physical therapy can help you get past them so you can move safely! Learn how you can get active with physical therapy and overcome these common barriers that can come your way.
You Think You’re Too Old To Start
Let’s start by taking a look at one of the most common reasons you might not be exercising: you think you’re too old. If you remember one thing from this article, remember that you can become active at any age. That’s right. No matter how old you are, you can still benefit from movement.
So, how exactly does PT help? Whether you’re 30, 40, or even 80, your physical therapist can create an exercise plan just for you. They’ll design a safe and effective program specific to your needs, goals, and fitness level. They’ll even guide you on your form and add on new exercises as you become stronger and more confident.
You Don’t Have Time
Another popular reason not to exercise: you don’t have time. Take a second to think about how busy your schedule is. You have work, family, social obligations, errands, appointments, the list goes on. You have responsibilities that take time and effort. But, it’s important to make yourself a priority too. Sure, most people don’t always have a spare 3 to 4 hours to exercise, but that doesn’t mean you should be completely sedentary.
All you have to do is try to find little ways to add a bit of movement into your day. Your goal is to increase your heart rate for a total of 30 minutes. This is especially important for those in caretaker roles. You need to maintain your health in order to provide for the ones you love. Decide when it makes the most amount of sense to fit a bit of activity into your daily routine. Finding what works best for you and your schedule may need a little adjusting, but it’ll be worth it.
The “I Hurt When I…” Excuse
Your ability to move impacts your health, independence, and even quality of life. Unfortunately, pain can make it challenging to move sometimes. As a matter of fact, pain is the #1 reason people seek medical treatment and health care. Physical therapy is no exception (and rightfully so!) Physical therapists can examine your injury or condition and determine the best way to help. They will help you move better while safely managing your pain.
You Don’t Have Gym Equipment
A lot of people believe that they need fancy gym equipment to really experience physical activity. Luckily, that’s not the case. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can get moving in the comfort of your own home. Dance in your living room. Climb the stairs in your basement. Do laps walking around the backyard. Use soup cans and milk cartons as weights. There are opportunities all around you.
You can even get lean while you clean. In addition, your physical therapist will also give you a specialized home exercise program you can do at home as well. These are safe exercises designed to strengthen the muscles that support your body. They will also help improve your flexibility and balance.
You Can’t Get Motivated
Group fitness classes and competitive sports aren’t for everyone. And that’s fine. Being active doesn’t have to mean you’re doing things you don’t like in order to be effective. Look for activities that you enjoy and make them part of your daily routine. Take it a step further and give yourself a small reward every time you are active. Use this as a motivator until your routine becomes a habit.
Do things that will make things easier and set yourself up for success. For example, keep your walking shoes and pedometer easily accessible near the front door. Schedule a set time for your exercises and set reminders in your phone or calendar. Making it as convenient as possible for yourself will help you reach your goals.
You Don’t Want To Hurt Yourself
It’s normal to be apprehensive when starting to get physically active. You don’t want to do anything to hurt yourself. Not all exercises are ideal for everyone. They depend on your age, abilities, and individual goals. So it’s important to choose the right activities.
Your physical therapist can create a custom exercise plan specifically designed for you. They will choose safe activities and work with you to feel comfortable performing them. They’ll help you maximize your movement. But, more importantly, they will empower you to actively participate in your own care and well-being.
You’re Too Tired
Deciding to get moving is one thing, but actually doing it is another. If you’re not used to being active, taking that first step may seem difficult. Your body is used to its normal everyday routine. So noticeably, you will feel more tired when you first start exercising. Stick with it, though. Studies show that exercise actually boosts energy levels. It pushes oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. It also helps you function better as well.
Make sure to ease into your new lifestyle. Aim to be active for 15 minutes a day at first. This can be something as simple as doing your home exercises during commercial breaks of your favorite TV show. Slowly adjust your activity as your body gets used to them. Try adding more time to your exercises, or increase the frequency and difficulty of your workout.
Physical therapists are experts in movement. They use their hands-on care to help you move safely. Not only will they improve your quality of life, but they’ll help you manage stress, avoid diseases, and more.
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