I subscribe to many newsletters, possibly too many, but it is easy to delete them if they are of no interest.  This one came in today from the National Institute on Aging at the NIH, and as I am about to embark on a more disciplined exercise regime again, I thought it was useful. One thing to think about if you have dementia, is to find ways to support any disabilities. This means not just remembering to exercise, but factoring in things such as any sensory changes that  may impact your ability to exercise alone.

Living with dementia makes is very easy to get off track, whether is it following a recipe to cook a meal, or following a healthy  lifestyle plan, including diet and exercise. In reality, this is hard for almost everyone. Hence, why it is sometimes helpful to have a formal plan. Using things like a food diary really help me, and I have decided I now need more than an App to tell me how many steps or stairs I have done each day as well.

This article is easy to access, and provides a link to a more detailed explanation on how to make an exercise plan, as well as information about the interactive Activity Planner from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

How to Make an Exercise Plan

“Writing an exercise plan can help keep you on track to meet your activity goals. But what should you include?

Your plan should have:

• Your reasons for being physically active.
• Your short and long-term goals.
• The activities you plan to do. Include all 4 types of exercise—endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
• When, where, and with whom you will be active.
• Things you need to do to get started and keep going.

Get more tips on how to make an exercise plan that works for you, so you can get up and Go4Life!“