You know the meaning and value of a solid commitment. It's in your blood. So don't view exercise as something you will merely try. You will only reap the true benefits of exercise when you stick with it. A great way to reinforce your commitment is to solicit the support of your friends and family. Tell them how you plan to improve your health and quality of life through exercise. Who knows? They may join you.

Set reachable goals.

This is an immensely important ingredient to your success. Don't start your exercise program with unreasonable expectations. If you expect to lose all of your unwanted pounds, drop your blood pressure and cure your joint pain all in one week, you will be sorely disappointed. Remember that it took years for your body to fall out of shape, so it makes sense that it will take some time to regain it. The key to unlocking all of the benefits of exercise lies in one word: consistency. Only then will your body be transformed.

Rearrange your schedule.

They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. This may be because his schedule simply didn't allow for it. The truth is that as we age there is a tendency to become stuck in our ways. The thought of rearranging your schedule may leave you a bit squeamish.

Remind yourself that exercise is worth your time and then think long and hard about your daily schedule. The fact is that you do have time to lend toward exercise - you simply need to find it. Set aside 30 to 60 minutes for exercise and then stick with it.

Increase the challenge.

You should start your exercise program with the thought of easing into it. If you haven't exercised in a while, your body will need to build up strength and endurance. Consider a car that has been sitting in your garage for years. You wouldn't turn it on and instantly slam down on the gas, would you? You need to warm it up.

However, this warm-up period should not last forever. Your body has an amazing ability to adapt to new challenges and will grow complacent when asked to do the same exercises over and over. When your routine begins to feel easy, take that as a hint to increase the challenge.

I want to help you achieve all of the benefits that consistent exercise can bring you. Don't let another day pass you by. You deserve the good life. Take action now.

Trim the fat.

Before you bite into a tasty steak, check for visible fat on the meat. Cut this excess fat off, and you will end up with a healthier meal. Remove the skin from chicken, and make it a habit to select extra lean cuts of meat while grocery shopping.

See my lasagna recipe on page 10.