Exercise Therapy Basics

Tips for Sticking with Exercise

Five Ways to Build a Lasting Habit

1. Start small — even 5 minutes of walking counts. Don't aim for perfection from day one
2. Set a regular time — tie it to something you already do, like "5 minutes before breakfast"
3. Find a partner — exercising with someone else makes it easier to stay consistent. Community exercise classes or pool programs are good options
4. Track your progress — even a simple checkmark on a calendar helps. Seeing your progress builds motivation
5. Don't aim for a perfect streak — missing a day is fine. What matters is not "never stopping" but "always restarting"

A Note for Family Members

Your support makes a real difference when someone starts an exercise program.

• Instead of "don't overdo it," try "let's go for a walk together"
• Rather than worrying about pain, celebrate small improvements together
• In the early weeks, some increase in pain is expected. Understanding that this is a normal part of the process helps everyone stay the course