Start Off Small

When most people finally decide they want to become fit or healthy they tend to overestimate what they need to do to get started. They typically join a gym, get a personal trainer, or decide they want to run their first marathon. Rather than take a big leap and make unrealistic commitments only to be disappointed, take the smallest step you can and be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to do. With exercise, I like to suggest folks increase whatever activities they currently do in their day and then add some stretching or flexibility moves. If you build it into the already existing activity it won't seem like such a burden. So, if you walk the dog in the morning and evening, go one more time around the block; if you work on the 4th floor take the stairs instead of the elevator; put your lunch in the refrigerator on another floor; rather than keep your water at your desk, get up and get it from the cooler or fountain each time you are thirsty. It doesn't take much to increase your level of activity if you are starting from a sedentary lifestyle and if you can't build it into your day easily it will be just that harder to sustain. Once you are incorporating more activity in your daily life consistently, you can move on to increase your leisure activities as well. Additionally, most people can benefit from 5-10 minutes of stretching each morning and evening without it interfering with their normal daily activities. Work on the consistency of these small changes and you will see results.