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My father got a reality check this week. Ever since getting back home he hasn't really been getting the exercise he should. He hardly ever goes out on walks, because he can't walk far and doesn't want to have talk to people (customers, neighbours, etc). The only way he can take longer walks is starting with shorter walks and building it up. But his way of building up is taking a 5 minute walk today, 10 minutes tomorrow, 15 minutes on the third day, etc. It doesn't work that way, you have to build up gradually.
He did start enthusiastically on the exercise bike. But after a couple of weeks that tapered off and now he works again (adding an hour every two weeks or so) he only cycles once or twice a week. He doesn't get that much exercise in the store; it's summer and quiet.
A couple of weeks ago he got cleared for the "heart rehab program". He expected that he would be cleared because he thinks he's fit enough and doesn't need it. On Monday he had to do a test where he had to cycle on an exercise bike at a certain speed and the resistance would go up gradually. He didn't finish the test. On Tuesday he had to go for an intake meeting with a doctor and a physical therapist. He didn't really want to talk about what was said, besides blaming his diabetes. My sister was there so hopefully she can fill us in today. But in two weeks time he'll get a notification when he's expected to join the program. From what I understand that is group physical therapy once or twice a week.
Us motivating him to go for walks or cycle haven't worked, we stopped because he got started to get angry and would not get any exercise. When his program starts he at least will get the group physical therapy and hopefully they will motivate him to do more at home.
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