How do I get my husband motivated to exercise? He goes to hydrotherapy once a week for 30 minutes and that's all. He has an exercise bike, but just won't use it. It is 2 years since his stroke and he isgetting lazier and lazier re exercise.

Hi,

Thanks for your enquiry. We’re sorry to hear about your husband’s stroke. Helping to motivate loved ones can be tricky as motivation usually has to come from within.

What does he enjoy doing? Is there another way to engage him in exercise that feels less like work? For example the two of you going for a walk together each day to get the newspaper or to get the mail from the letterbox? Does he like to be out in nature and could exercise be included in that activity or hobby? Start off small and be creative.

Finding out what inspires and motivates him will give you some more ideas. Perhaps getting on the exercise bike doesn’t interest or motivate him and that’s ok. Does he respond well to health professionals? Would a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist or personal trainer be helpful to engage? Could he go to a group exercise program like Heart Moves? Perhaps he prefers structure, to exercise in a group for increased motivation and have a set time and place to exercise.

How is his mood? His mood could be impacting on his motivation. Is he sleeping ok, does he feel helpless or hopeless? He could speak to the GP or a get a referral to a psychologist to discuss his mood further. Exercise will help his mood although if he hasn’t the motivation to exercise then addressing the mood may help.

Has he set any goals recently? Setting meaningful goals can give us a focus and direction to work towards. We could help him to come up with some goals over the phone and chat to him if he was interested. You or your husband can call us on StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

Best wishes,

Simone (Occupational Therapist for StrokeLine) 1800 787 653 

Difficult to find motivation if he doesn't feel it is improving what he can do.Sounds like some different activities might stimulate his interest.Agree with Simone Check he's not depressed perhaps change therapists another one maybe able suggest other activities .I find people need to be successful in order for them to be motivated so it's important that things aren't to difficult to start with but then progress so they aren't boring.

Phillip Fay

Occupational therapist