Methods to increase chances of adherence to exercise advice include scheduling time each day if necessary and making a commitment to exercise with others, as it will be harder to skip if someone is looking forward to the patient accompanying them. As with any behavior change, social support from spouse, family, friends, as well as physicians, is recommended. Plan for Change To move the patient from preparation to action, work with the patient to develop a behavioral plan. Clarify that it does not have to be structured, formal exercise classes. Set a reasonable, clear, realistically attainable goal.
Adherence is aided when the patient decides how much activity to begin with.
Identify barriers to achieving goal and what can be done to remove the barriers. Identify aids to success . Discuss importance of stimulus control, social support. Stimulus control involves providing stimuli that will increase the chances of engaging in the desired behavior. Encourage activity with a partner.