Having fun is the key to sticking with any exercise program. When something is fun, we usually welcome the chance to do it again. Patience and moderation are the keys to keeping workouts fun.

Most exercise dropouts push too hard and too fast to get themselves in shape. Impatience and shortcuts often cause injury and discouragement. It takes time to achieve weight loss and fitness goals, and forever to maintain them. This is why it is important to include regular physical activities in your daily lifestyle.

Here are some ways to make exercising more fun and rewarding:
* Socialize while you exercise: Invite a friend to exercise with you, or join an exercise class. Add picnics to your walks, hikes, or bike trips.
* Cross-train: Do a variety of exercise activities each week that work different muscle groups. This adds intensity to your program, minimizes the risk of injury, and gets you fit faster.
* Add recreational activities: Play in a sports league. Go out dancing. Try water sports. Take up tap dancing, roller-blading, martial arts, badminton, golfing, or some other activity that is enjoyable and will keep you physically active.
* Enter community fun runs or walks and other competitive events.
* Challenge your skills: Try a ropes course. Take a backpacking trip. Ride horses.
* Reward your accomplishments: Set realistic short-term and long-term fitness goals. Reward yourself when you achieve them. Whether your chosen reward is a massage, new shoes, or an evening out, make sure you give yourself those well-deserved pats on the back.
* Play with children: Play ball or field games. Play tag or teach a new game.

Don't try a new activity that is too demanding for your level of health. The risk for injury is too great. Get properly conditioned first, and then try it.

There are plenty of ways to make fitness fun. Be creative. Involve your whole family. Fitness can add years to your life and life to your years.

Always get a medical check-up before starting any exercise program. Work with a certified exercise leader to learn how to exercise safely.

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