Many people launch the year by starting fresh with personal goals and resolutions. One of the most common resolutions is to get in shape or increase fitness. Unfortunately, by February many goals are long forgotten. Here are some tips to help keep fitness determination from fizzling, and to get started on the path to being healthy and fit.

With strong resolve, it is easy to want to jump into a new exercise program right away. But before lacing up the shoes, be sure to visit a doctor. It is important for anyone starting out a new exercise program to make sure everything is working properly before beginning. With a doctor’s blessing, it is time to start.

GETTING STARTED

1. See a doctor.

2. Identify goals. Why exercise? To feel better? To improve health? To lose weight? To become stronger? To reduce stress?

3. Form a plan. How are goals achieved? Time of day to exercise? Where to exercise? Be specific and detailed in the plan.

4. Get started! It might be helpful to speak with a fitness professional to help set a fitness plan.

Three major things to include in any fitness plan are aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, and flexibility. Examples of aerobic exercises are walking, swimming, biking, aerobics, and jumping rope. Muscle strengthening exercises can be done with weights, exercise bands, and even common household items like soup cans and milk jugs. Flexibility exercises are any moves that stretch the muscles. Good luck!