As we move into 2026 many people are getting ready to set goals for the new year. An estimated 20%-48% of people will set a goal related to physical activity, something along the lines of “exercise more” or “improve fitness.” This means your patients could be setting intentions to increase their exercise.

Yet we know that the numbers are stacked against them. Only 9% of Americans report completing their New Year Resolutions and when it comes
to exercise, less than 50% of hemodialysis (HD) patients exercise at least 1 time per week.

To aid your conversations around physical activity and help your patients reap the benefits of exercise – which includes better cardiovascular health,
better mood, increased red blood cell production, and more – we’ve compiled a list of out of the box ideas that might help your patients engage and stick with physical activity.

These tips and suggestions can be used as conversation starters, brainstorming sessions, or inspiration to invent their own approach.

For Limited Mobility

  • If your mobility is limited, try chair exercises. Leg lifts, arm raises, and similar movements help strengthen muscles. Use canned vegetables as weights or paper plates for resistance.
  • Know your limitations – consult with your doctor before getting started with any new physical activities.

Does This Count as Exercise?

  • Have you heard of laughter yoga? Laughing can actually be exercise, and it will elevate your mood! (there are some videos that you could probably find via googling if desired).
  • Find something you enjoy doing. Exercise doesn’t have to feel like work! Find ways to move your body that you enjoy. Nature walks, dancing to music, or stretching are easy ways to increase movement.
  • Have fun – listen to your favorite music, podcast, audiobook, etc – incorporate things you enjoy.

Leverage Existing Routines

  • Make movement a part of your daily routine. Having a routine makes it easier to be consistent. Better yet, exercise with a friend or partner.
  • Aim to get moving early in the day – as the day goes on, things come up, you are more tired and more likely to not stick to your plan.
  • Block of time in your day with no distractions – staying consistent.
  • While watching TV, during commercials or breaks do jumping jacks, burpees, squats, calf raises, anything active!
  • Pair it with something you find enjoyable and make time for (for example, listen to audio books, podcasts or watch a show while working out).

Lean on Your Community

  • Find a friend/family member/group to exercise with you – helps hold you accountable, keeps you motivated, and can be more enjoyable with someone to share with.
  • If you have kids, have a dance party or do kids yoga with them.
  • Talk a walk with your family after (or before) dinner. If you have kids do a simple scavenger hunt to keep them engaged during the walk.
  • Find a “buddy” to keep you accountable. Exercise with them if possible or report back to them daily on your progress.

Start Small and Set Expectations

  • Start with small, achievable goals – don’t set unattainable goals as it sets you up to fail.
  • Allow yourself grace – you may have to adjust your goals as you go but keep going and don’t get discouraged.
  • Try new things – you may find you enjoy things you didn’t think you would and it can help with boredom from same routine.
  • Take the stairs instead of elevator if able.
  • Park farther away from stores when shopping to get more steps in.

When you’re having these conversations with patients, be sure to keep the interdisciplinary team in the loop and make sure their physician has cleared them for exercise.
You may also encounter patients who want to be more physically active but lack stamina or adequate functionality or energy to do so. In this case, it may be prudent to assess them for malnutrition as inadequate calorie and/or protein intake can be a barrier to increased exercise. Malnourished patients on dialysis may benefit from the addition of IDPN for HD or IPN for PD to improve their nutrition status. To learn more, visit pcacorp.com

We thank our guest blogger Maiya Slusser, MS, RDN, CD, CNSC, Director, Research and Education for sharing her knowledge and writing this blog post!