Staying Active & Exercising on Dialysis

Dialysis & Exercise

Dialysis gets you on the road to feeling better. It may take a little while, but your energy levels should eventually return to what you consider normal. You can get back to doing the activities you enjoy as long as you don’t find them too strenuous. Have questions about how hard to push yourself? You should always check with your doctor first.

Make exercise part of your every day

No need to take up a sport or join a gym – exercise is any kind of physical activity, so don’t think you can’t do it. Simply taking a walk is exercise that provides you with immediate and ongoing benfits.

 

Doing just a little more physical activity every day is great for your health – and getting into a regular exercise routine is even better. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor before beginning any kind of exercise program.

Simple steps to get started
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Choose an activity that you’ll enjoy. This is absolutely the number one thing to consider. You’re much more likely to keep doing something you love.
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Start slowly and sensibly. You don’t have to run a marathon on your first day. Just dedicate 10-15 minutes to something as simple as walking around your neighborhood or actively cleaning your house – and build from there.
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Exercise with a friend. You can motivate each other – the buddy system really works.
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Use a smartphone or pedometer. Consider wearing a pedometer or downloading an app to track your exercise progress and provide encouragement to keep you going.
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Set goals and reward yourself for reaching them!

Benefits of exercise

From stretching while watching TV to more aerobic activities like swimming, physical exercise offers these benefits:

  • Enhances your mood
  • Helps your body become stronger
  • Increases flexibility
  • Relieves stress
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