Exercise therapist shares tips to set and stick to a fitness routine

PARK CITY — It’s the start of a new year, and for many, becoming more physically active with exercise is a top resolution. But when it comes to setting fitness goals, there are a lot of options out there.

“It can be overwhelming in choosing the right program for you,” said Alora Bonner, an exercise therapist for Intermountain Health.

Bonner said the key is to start small.

“I think the tendency is to make a huge list of goals and aspirations and plans, and then you hit it really, really hard for the first two weeks, and then it’s not manageable,” she said.

Discover something you enjoy doing. Make a plan, and find someone to help keep you on track.

“Having that village built around you, having those accountability buddies to help you makes a world of difference,” Bonner said.

When it comes to cardio, Bonner said the current recommendation is 150 minutes per week.

“It can be jogging, it can be running. If those don’t work for you it can be biking, swimming,” Bonner said.

You can also do simple exercises at home, like squats or bicep curls.

“It doesn’t have to be a super challenging exercise where you feel entirely exhausted; you want to find something that’s efficient, so you’re getting that bang for your buck,” she said.

Lastly, when trying to get into a consistent routine, be gentle with yourself.

“We can be really hard on ourselves this time of year, so be open and curious to try new things and also giving yourself the credit and progress for how far you have come to this point,” Bonner said.