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Fitness: Making It a Habit

Topic Overview

Until physical activity becomes a habit for you, staying active may seem difficult. Here are some tips that may help you make it a habit.

  • When you first start an exercise program, try to exercise at the same time every day. You can vary the time and place later, but creating a habit requires repetition.
  • Schedule your physical activity. Block it out on your calendar or day planner. Do several weeks in advance if you can, so that you get used to thinking of that time as already scheduled.
  • Do your physical activity regularly for at least 3 months. Experts say that it takes about 3 months of repetition to form a habit. For some people, 3 months is not long enough to form the habit. Changing seasons and weather may interfere with establishing a habit. Keep it up until you think about physical activity as a normal part of your day.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Heather Chambliss, PhD - Exercise Science
Last Revised October 25, 2011

Last Revised: October 25, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Heather Chambliss, PhD - Exercise Science

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