One of the easiest ways to put off getting in shape is not knowing where to start. Goals--these are what will define you and without goals you will have trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Your written goals are yours alone or to share with someone who will support you in your journey.

We all talk about dieting, exercising, not having time or money to do either. Once you set your goals, you will find a the time, you will find the way.

The word 'Diet' has negative connotation because everyday in every magazine on the market there is a diet that proves to be the miracle, quick fix you've been waiting for and better yet, you don't have to exercise, ever.

The exercise commercials and ads you see portray people who are ripped, super tanned and looking gorgeous while riding the elliptical trainer. That's all they are, ads to fill your mind with non-sense. No one who works hard at the gym looks like they stepped out of a beauty spa. You will sweat, you will be sore (at first), you will have to push yourself and work hard.

When you are ready to start your fitness journey consider this: You will have to make changes to your lifestyle. Plain and simple. You will have to change the way you eat, how much you eat, and why you eat. You will have to change your lifestyle from sedentary to moderately active. You may be able to loose weight by dieting alone, but how long do you think you can continue to eat like a bird or avoid eating certain foods? You will gain weight and sometimes more than you lost. You can't exercise and not change the way you eat because it is just a lost cause.

Bottom line: make small changes to the way you eat, even if you only eliminate one thing at a time, i.e. regular soda for diet, whole milk for 2%, fast food for "slow food", etc. Begin to add some form of physical activity to your days, i.e. 20 minutes walking, 10 minutes going up and down the stairs several times a day, etc. There are ways and there are opportunities, you just have to make the choice, write down your goals and decide today, that you WILL take care of yourself - don't wait, start now!