Moving Beyond Exercise

August Support Group Recap: Moving Beyond "Exercise"

At our most recent support group meeting, we were delighted to welcome two experienced exercise physiologists from START  who shared their knowledge and energy with the group. Their key message was simple but powerful: movement matters – and it doesn't need to look like "exercise" in the traditional sense.

They encouraged members to reframe the idea of exercise as simply finding enjoyable ways to move the body. Movement can lift mood, reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall wellbeing, making it just as important for mental health as it is for physical health.

Common Barriers to Movement

The Exercise Physiologists acknowledged that many people face real challenges in getting active, such as:

• Low motivation or confidence
• Time pressures from work and family life
• Physical limitations or fear of injury
• Negative past experiences with exercise

Practical Strategies Shared

The session included lots of practical, realistic ideas for making movement part of everyday life:

• Start small: even 5–10 minutes of movement counts.
• Pair with routines: stretch while waiting for the kettle to boil or walk during phone calls.
• Use music: favourite songs can make movement more enjoyable and motivating.
• Make it social: join a group, walk with a friend, or involve family.
• Set flexible goals: focus on progress, not perfection, and celebrate small wins.
• Reframe setbacks: see them as opportunities to restart, not failures.

Demonstration: Chair-Based Exercises

The session finished with a fun, interactive demonstration of safe, simple seated and chair-based exercises. These movements are ideal for building strength and flexibility at home, particularly for anyone with mobility concerns, and gave everyone a chance to see how accessible movement can be.

August Support Group Session 2025