Spend five minutes stretching. Take slow, deep breaths and deepen the stretch as you exhale. Take note of how it makes you feel.

Buy a pedometer to count every step you take. Walking 10,000 steps a day might seem like a lot but it is not that difficult. And it has proven health benefits.

Weight training is just as good for grandmothers as it is for jocks. It improves blood flow to the brain and strengthens bones, increases libido and improves mood, sleep and digestion. If you are scared to go it alone, consider a personal trainer.

Use your television. If you have a stationary bicycle, treadmill, elliptical trainer or other exercise machine, make the most of advertising. Exercise at a comfortable pace during the program and work as hard as you can for one or two of the commercials. This is called interval training and it is more effective than a steady pace.

Make exercise social. Ask a friend to join you for a workout. Get a training partner. Play a sport you used to love. It is much more difficult to skip or quit when other people are counting on you.

Don’t let pain stop you. If your knees hurt, bicycling will strengthen your quadriceps. If other joints bother you, swimming is your best bet.

Park your car a few blocks away from the place you are going.

Pat yourself on the back every time you choose the stairs over the elevator.

If possible, get some exercise first thing in the morning. You will get the benefit of feeling good all day and research suggests that your metabolism will be faster - burning more calories regardless of what you are doing.

Play with your kids. Their energy is infectious, and keeping up with them is good exercise. Running around and playing usually leads to laughter and positive emotions, which, as they say, are the best medicine.