Change is happening around us all the time. Our bodies are constantly changing as we age, and so is the environment and community we live in. Change is a big part of our lives and instead of being afraid of it, we should embrace it. Some ways to alleviate the daunting thought of change is to encourage realistic change. It is important to set small, achievable goals and progress slowly to allow the body and mind to adjust to new behaviours. This can be applied to many areas of life such as exercise, education, and even breathing techniques.
S.M.A.R.T goal setting is a great way to ensure change is realistic. S.M.A.R.T is an acronym that outlines a strategy for reaching any objective.
Specific. Well-defined clear actions.
Measurable. Objective and quantifiable so you know when your goal(s) have been achieved.
Actionable. Based on things you will do (i.e., not an outcome).
Relevant. They must be important and meaningful to you.
Timed. Without a set deadline, there is no sense of urgency.
Specific. “I will be more active each week, in the evening”.
Measurable. “I will aim for 3 times a week for 4 weeks in a row”.
Actionable. “I will complete all my prescribed exercises and walk on my day off”.
Relevant. “It is important to me to be more active on a consistent basis”.
Timed. “I will begin on Monday and track my progress”.
It is a good idea to be aware of barriers to physical activity and recognize them when they may occur. Life happens and certain situations may prevent you from completing your goal of physical activity.
Examples of possible situations include:
There is a strategy to overcome these barriers. First you want to identify the barrier. Next explore the many alternatives to overcoming these barriers.
Possible alternatives include:
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Try it out!
Now it’s your turn to try it out yourself. Write down a couple goals and the actions you have to take to complete those goals. Remember, try to make the goal specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and timed. You can also write down some success indicators so you know you are staying on track with your goals.
Goals & Actions
Goal #1:
Actions:
Goal #2:
Actions:
Success Indicators
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If you have been cleared by a doctor or health care professional to participate in unsupervised exercise training, please visit your program information under the settings menu tab. You will have to cancel your current program and create a new account under ‘Join For Free’ on the main website. Please complete the screening process and select the Exercise + Breathe + Learn + Move plan. You will then have access to your personalized exercise plan!
Do not begin any exercises / stop exercising immediately if you have/develop:
Increase weight or consider attending a fitness facility
Remember to increase the number of breaks you take during each exercise