Nutrition and Dietetrics
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Queensland Health recommends that clients consult with a medical practitioner prior to following these physical activity guidelines, particularly where they have been previously inactive, have heart disease or close relatives with heart disease, are pregnant or have other major health problems.
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Identify the barriers clients face in doing physical activity.
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Establish what the client thinks physical activity is, so that any misconceptions can be clarified (eg. working out in a gym setting isn’t the only way of exercising).
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Emphasize that physical activity doesn’t have to be hard or vigorous, and that even small amounts are useful to maintain good health if done frequently.
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Encourage clients to find an activity they enjoy, remembering that it may not necessarily be something they perceive as exercise. Once the activities have been identified, turn these into practical recommendations.
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Determine some outcome measures to motivate clients, and ensure they are simple and quick.
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Educate clients about the facts and benefits of participating in physical activity. The facts could be developed into a poster to display in consultation areas or on toilet doors.
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For working clients, encourage workplace activities (eg. lunch-time walking groups, small group walks, mothers’ pram walking groups).
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Suggest pool walking, walking in shallow water at the beach or aquarobics for activity.
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Suggest other group activities - they offer more security for older people.
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Discuss exercise/physical activity before diet.
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Suggest patients get up 10 minutes earlier to do some activity, then do 10 minutes at lunch, and then 10 minutes before dinner.
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A physical activity specialist could go to the universities as a guest lecturer to provide allied health professionals with training in how to incorporate physical activity into their practice from an early stage. Practical examples would be necessary.
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