A Trial of Habit Formation Theory for Exercise in Older Adults

Goal setting: set or agree on a goal defined in terms of behavior to be achieved.

Action planning: prompt detailed planning of performance of behavior (must include a setting \[walking to the mailbox\], frequency, duration, and intensity.

Self-Monitoring of behavior: establish a method for person to monitor and record their number of steps based on their Fitbit.

Behavioral rehearsal: prompt practice or rehearsal of walking one or more times in a context when the performance may not be necessary, in order to increase habit and skill.

Prompt rehearsal \& repetition of walking 2,000 steps or more in the same context repeatedly so that the context elicits the behavior.