Find out what makes you click. There is an exercise routine for everybody, you just have to find it. Keep trying new things until you find something that you like, and that fits your lifestyle! Try walking, running, aerobics, hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, roller-blading, yoga, pilates, weight training, skiing, skating, snow boarding. The alternatives are endless , keep looking, and when you find it - you'll know. It will all click!

If you can't get into it, get out of it. It does take time to learn and to get into a new fitness routine. It is not always supposed to be easy, and a little sweat won't melt you away. But if you keep doing your workout out of sheer duty-and not because you enjoy it, you have not found what will work for you in the long run. People are different, just because your friend swears by the spinning class, it doesn't mean it is the right exercise for you. Keep looking!

Warm-up is not a hot bath. A good warm-up is crucial before starting to exercise. Just like a car needs to be warmed up on a cold day - your body does too. A warm-up consists of some kind of physical activity that slowly gets your heart pumping faster, and gets your muscles and joints moving. Continue at a low rate until you body is warm, and your breathing is even. A warm-up routine will help prevent injuries, and you will also get more out of your workout.

Stretching safely. After you are warmed up, go through a basic stretching routine. Never stretch cold muscles, as you might injure yourself. There are many stretches you can do, ask a professional what is good for the type of exercise you are going to do. When stretching, slowly ease into the stretch, and concentrate on the muscle you are stretching. Don't just go through the motions. Do a long slow stretch, without jerking or bouncing, and you will find your muscle relax into the stretch after 10-30 seconds, A good thumb rule is to stretch for a MINIMUM of one minute per major muscle group.

Top rated! There is much talk about heart-rates nowadays. What are they all about? Basically it is the heart-beats per minute that are measured. There are charts that tell you where your heart rate should be depending on your age, and what you want to achieve with your exercise. In general, a lower heart-rate, that is continued for an extended period of time will burn fat. While a higher heart-rate, that you may only be able to keep up for a shorter time - or in intervals, will improve your cardiovascular capacity.

Rest to recover. Just as the silence between the notes makes the music, the rest between your workouts will strengthen your body. After a hard workout, it is important for your muscles to recover. That's when the are re-building and getting stronger. Rest, however does not mean complete inactivity. For example, if you did a hard workout for your upper body one day, you can work your legs with a run or hike the next.

Stay Hydrated! It is absolutely crucial to stay hydrated after a hard workout. Not only do you need to replace what you sweat, but also the moisture loss though the lungs. Drink both before, during and after exercising, and even though ice cold water tastes very good when you are hot, more temperate water will shock your body less.

Watch your food intake. Now that you work out, you have free reign to eat whatever you want, right? Not quite. Many people actually gain weight when they start to work out. Not only because they build muscle - and muscle DOES weigh more than fat, but also because they overestimate the effect of their exertion, and treat themselves more than they normally would. For example, a 145 lb woman hiking moderately hard for 60 minutes, burns 394 calories. By comparison, two medium size glazed chocolate doughnuts will pack 408 calories (and one whole ounce of fat - 28 grams). Treat yourself once in a while, but don't make a habit of freely popping chocolate doughnuts after every hike.