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A Good Fitness Program Needs Realistic Expectations - Suit Yourself
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People in general - and people with diabetes specifically - may fail to adhere to a fitness program because they have unrealistic expectations. In addition to taking to heart the wider range of benefits that we discussed last week, you can help improve your fitness attitude if you follow these guidelines:
- Exercise needs to be part of a lifelong management program that starts gradually and works up to higher intensity.
- To sustain an exercise program, select one that reflects your goals, desires, and the kind of support available to you.
- What are your goals for exercise?
- What types of physical activity are you doing or do you think you would like to do?
- Duration - long or short?
- Intensity - high or low?
- Socializing - by yourself or with others?
- Environment - indoors or out?
- Competitive - take part in a team sport or a cooperative activity?
Next week we'll look at some specific factors that will help you set up an exercise program that you can commit to for the long term.
Source: American College of Sports Medicine. Exercise and type 2 diabetes, Position Stand. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32(July):1345-60.
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