Choosing Activities You Will Keep

Many kinds of movement count as physical activity. Walking, cycling, swimming and dancing are all good examples.

Gardening counts too, when it gets your heart beating a little faster. You do not need a gym or special gear to start.

The best choice is one that fits your life, not someone else's life.

Activities you enjoy are easier to keep doing, so enjoyment is a practical guide. Ask yourself whether you look forward to it, even a little.

Next, check access. Where can you do it, when do you have time, and what does it cost?

A walk near home is often easier to keep up than a distant gym.

Start where you are today, not where you used to be. A comfortable start can help lower the chance of injury.

Then add a little more over time, one small step at a time. Each week can be a bit longer or a bit harder than the last.

If you have other health conditions, ask your doctor which activities suit you first.

Key takeaways

• Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing and gardening all count.
• Enjoyment and easy access make an activity easier to keep.
• Start where you are, then add a little at a time.

Try it

Choose one activity you already enjoy, and plan 10 minutes of it for this week.