Many people plan to exercise but then do not stick with the plans. Researchers led by University of Michigan behavioral scientist Michelle Segar held four focus groups with 27 adults, aged 19 to 79, who had tried to exercise but could not maintain it.
The team found an “all-or-nothing” mindset. People often set strict rules and say short activity does not count. They look for reasons not to exercise and put exercise after other tasks. Many felt puzzled because they remembered good times exercising but still stopped.
Segar said this mindset makes exercise feel harder when people are tired. She advised three shifts: do not blame yourself, choose “good enough” over “perfect”, and do not stay stuck in past negative experiences.
Difficult words
- focus group — Small group discussion used in research.focus groups
- maintain — Keep doing something over a long time.
- mindset — A person's usual way of thinking.
- strict — Clear rules that allow little change.
- puzzled — Feeling confused and not sure why.
- shift — A small change in how you act.shifts
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you tried to start exercising and then stopped? Why?
- What small change would make exercise easier for you?
- Do you think choosing “good enough” is better than “perfect”? Why or why not?
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