So you have already decided once and for all that you will do all you can in your power to stay fit and healthy. You have started to incorporate fruits and vegetables in your meals and have little by little weaned yourself away from junk food and soda. But if there's one thing that you are having trouble with, it's getting started with exercise. The thought of engaging the muscles in your body just seems too, well, tiring. You just can't imagine getting on a treadmill or going to aerobics class. Between packing your gym bags and chatting on Facebook or Twitter, the latter wins hands down.

While you can lose weight through sheer dieting alone, exercise hastens the process by increasing your metabolic rate. It also prevents your muscles from sagging-- a natural consequence when you start to lose weight. Besides weight loss, exercise is also beneficial for your physical and psychological health. It strengthens your immune system, allowing your body to fight off diseases and infections. It also prevents certain diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancer from wrecking havoc into your health and finances. It also increases your bone mass and prevents the development of osteoporosis. Aside from the physical, exercise also releases endorphins into your system, making you feel good and relieving you of stress. Exercise also enhances your focus and concentration. With all these benefits, it would be unwise for you not to incorporate physical activity into your health regimen.

Getting started with exercise requires that you take baby steps. That's right. Simple, baby steps of activities you love doing will eventually warm you up enough to fully launch an all-out workout regimen. If you love gardening, then engage in it even for just 15 minutes a day at first. Try to increase to thirty minutes until you are comfortable enough to sustain the activity for an hour. This goes for any activity you enjoy. Whether it be dancing, walking or doing your house chores.

When you're still getting started with exercise, try to find excuses to go out for a walk. If you enjoy shopping, go to the mall and window shop. You don't necessarily have to buy anything-- you can even leave the credit card at home so you don't get tempted. The key is to give your body the chance to walk, doing the activity you love. Love taking pictures? Get your camera and start shooting. You can't find the best scenes while on your car, so head out and walk and stop when you feel something is worthy of a shot. If you feel that you really can't walk, then try cycling. If walking is too difficult, cycling still provides you with a good cardiovascular workout. Choose level streets first before attempting to bike in steeper inclines.

Getting started with exercise is simply a matter of finding an activity you love doing and exerting a little more physical effort into it. You will surely love the benefits exercise gives you-- a better body and a more relaxed mind.