January 2025

At the start of the new year, many people get excited about setting goals. One common goal is to “exercise more.” The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, like running) per week and at least 30 minutes twice per week of muscle-strengthening activities (e.g., lifting weights, bodyweight exercises, or Pilates).

Regular exercise is a critical part of maintaining cardiovascular health and bone strength, reducing your risk of developing diabetes, managing your weight, and improving your sleep. To help you stick
with your resolution for 2025 and beyond, consider these tips.

Find activities you enjoy.

If you don’t like what you’re doing, you won’t stick with it for the long term. Consider what you enjoy. Do you prefer to be outside? Or would you rather be in a climate-controlled environment? Do you like to exercise alone, or do you prefer something more social? Do you like the physical challenge of something complex, like dancing? Or would you prefer something simple, like walking?

Mix it up.

Don’t feel like you have to choose just one activity. Instead, find a few activities you enjoy and change it up. Maybe you like the flexibility of walking alone outside, but still play indoor pickleball twice a week because you enjoy group sports.

Be realistic.

If you’re not a morning person, don’t commit to getting up twice a week for a 6:30 am Pilates class. If you can’t find a free 30- minute time block in your busy day, go for three 10-minute walks instead. You’ll still hit your daily exercise goals.