Patients can accumulate exercise during the day, a few minutes at a time, so that they get 30 minutes on most days of the week. Suggest three 10-minute walks if getting a 30 minute stretch is difficult. Also, adherence is improved for sedentary patients who begin with moderate intensity activity rather than vigorous activity. For long-term health benefits the activity must become a part of the patient's lifestyle, so approaches that decrease dropout rates are preferred. Recommendations Former recommendations for rigorous, sustained activity have kept many from exercising - this must be countered with new information that any increased activity is helpful.
Most people can easily make small adjustments in their lifestyle to increase activity.
Suggest taking stairs, parking further away from entrances, emphasize activities patients enjoy - gardening, walking with friends, walking the dogs. 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.