- Set a schedule and try to keep it. For example, 15-minute walk around the block each morning and evening.
- Do not try too hard at first can lead to injury and cause you to give up.
- Get a friend or family member to join you. Motivate each other to keep it up.
- Cross-train. Alternate between different activities so you don't strain one part of your body day after day.
- Set goals. Gradually build up your program and set new goals to stay motivated.
- Reward yourself. At the end of each month that you stay on your exercise program, reward yourself with something new, for example, new clothes, a compact disc, a new book, etc, something that will help keep you committed. But don't use food as a reward.
- If you have a chronic health problem or a family history of heart disease at an early age, be sure to talk with your doctor before launching a new physical activity program.
Source : NHLBI Health Information Center
