How would you encourage someone you know to overcome common barriers to physical activity and become active?

Answer 1

That depends on what the barriers are, but maybe you could exercise with them. That way they have company, and it seems like a social thing rather than hard work. You could let them know about all the fun exercise facilities that are available to them in their area and let them know prices/transport etc. Places like swimming pools, ice skating rinks, skateboard ramps, are different but cool places to get some exercise.

Answer 2

Help them overcome the rest of the things that are overwhelming them: kids, job, spouse/girl friend/boy friend, family, school. Exercise is boring and gives us nothing to think about except rehashing life's problems.

Exercise is at the bottom of most of our priorities. My gym says that research shows that they must be conveniently located.

Maybe find a way to make it fun without looking stupid. Sight see on foot, dance, hike, window shop. Camouflage the fact that it is exercise by covering it with fun.

Answer 3

Through kindness and understanding. Discuss the problems with them and let them plan an exercise program to follow and you back them up. A little a day; day by day. We sometimes set ourselves up to fail on purpose by doing too much at first and give up. Small steps at first and no guilt for sometimes failing. We all fall down; it is the getting up that is important.

Answer 4

I would suggest that you ask them to help you to become more physically active by joining you in an exercise program. that willl make it easier for them to join in.

Answer 5

Tell them to "JUST DO IT"

But seriously, personal trainers usually make their costumers/patients hang up pictures of their fat selves on the fridge or giant pictures where they look totaly out of shape in their room to remind them that they need to work out

Answer 6

Tell them you hope they enjoy spending the rest of their lives in a bed. (Reverse Psychology).