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FIND A KIN
By Catarina Martins
As the long warm days of summer come to an end, and we round the corner to Fall, many of us may find ourselves returning to familiar routines or starting new ones. This Fall, take advantage of new beginnings by establishing new and fresh physical activity goals or by refreshing old ones. Whether returning to an existing fitness routine, or looking to establish a new one, the first step is to develop a SMART plan. This begins by setting a reasonable goal for your physical activity which is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound.
As the long warm days of summer come to an end, and we round the corner to Fall, many of us may find ourselves returning to familiar routines or starting new ones. This Fall, take advantage of new beginnings by establishing new and fresh physical activity goals or by refreshing old ones. Whether returning to an existing fitness routine, or looking to establish a new one, the first step is to develop a SMART plan. This begins by setting a reasonable goal for your physical activity which is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound.
It is believed that it was Benjamin Franklin who said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? The wisdom of this saying rings true when it comes to being routinely active. Planning will increase the odds of achieving your fitness goals and can help you achieve a consistent routine, which can favour lifelong habit formation. Whether it is setting an alarm to go for a walk at the same time each day, or signing up for a weekly fitness class, organising your physical activity is key to creating a regular routine. Here are some ideas of habits to incorporate into your daily fall routine.
While having a schedule is an important contributor to success, allowing flexibility in your plan can also be important, especially if/when life throws you a curve ball, For example, if you’ve planned to exercise with a friend who’s cancelled last-minute, have a back-up activity in mind, like going for a walk/run on your own or participating in a virtual fitness class. Preparing in advance will help you in times when there is an unexpected change in your plan.
Kinesiologists can help you get on track. To find a Kin near you, visit the CKA website.
While it is important to be physically active every day, all Canadians should follow their respective public health authority recommendations. The above is considered, to the best of ParticipACTION’s knowledge at the time of publication, to align with Canadian public-health recommendations. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information.
