When you pack your bag (or head downstairs) to work out, do you know what you're going to do? Do you know why you're going to do it? Do you know how best to do it?
Making the decision to work out is a big one - don't waste your time by working out without a defined goal and a plan to achieve those goals.
Which is easier than it sounds...
Certainly determining what you want to do - lose weight, build muscle, improve your 5K time - is fairly easy. The hard part is determining how to go about doing it in a way that's going to be effective in terms of both time and results.
To start out, set your goal or goals. It's very realistic to have multiple goals, and you can target each of the goals with specific workouts, or have "all-around" sessions that will hit areas of each goal. Most importantly - write down your goals - and reference them regularly. Put them on the front page of your notebook, or on a white board in your basement where you work out.
Next, figure out how to best achieve your goals. Do some research - you may prefer to work out alone with a DVD or with a personal trainer. You also might want to look into Fit Clubs or boot camps that are put on by local groups. Or, you might be more motivated by going to the gym and letting others see your improvement. If you're new to fitness, take some time to determine what's best for you - jumping into something before you know what it's all about can be discouraging. Some things to think about:
Finally, get out there and do it! This is the hardest part - acting on your goals. However, writing them down, telling your friends about them, tracking your progress - all of these things will help you to stay motivated.
Stay fit everyone!