So, you have decided that it is time to get in shape. Great! You are tired of being overweight and flabby. You want to be lean and muscular like all the people you see on TV. Your motivation might be the fact that you want more dates, or maybe your doctor has told you you need to get in shape or else.

So how are you going to do it? There are four common paths that people follow once they decide they want to buff, tone and get in shape:

• Join a Gym

• Buy a piece of exercise equipment like a treadmill, a Bowflex, a weight machine or a stationary bicycle

• Buy an outdoor piece of equipment like a bicycle

• Decide to do something outside like walking or jogging

And then we all know what happens. You join the gym, go for two weeks and then stop. Or you buy the treadmill, use it for two weeks and then it gathers dust. That kind of thing happens all the time — probably 90% of people experience it.
So the question is not, "How do I get in shape?" The question is, "How do I stay disciplined enough to exercise consistently for six months instead of giving it up in a week or two?" Here is the answer to that question:

• If you can find a friend and do it together, that can help. When one of you is losing your discipline, the other will push you along.

• Schedule your exercise time just like you schedule all of your other appointments. Put it on your calendar.

• If you have bought a piece of exercise equipment, put it in front of the TV. If it would help, join a service like NetFlix? and watch a hundred movies but only while you are exercising. That way your brain associates the reward of "watching a movie" with the act of "exercising."

• Put magazine photos of lean, muscular people all over the house to remind you of your goal constantly. I'm talking about two dozen pictures on the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, next to the TV, on the front and back of every door, etc. Put them up in your work space too. Remind yourself constantly.

• Read the Helpation article on losing weight.

• Exercise every day. For some people, it is harder to forget to do it if you are doing it every day.

• Track your progress as discussed in the losing weight article.

• Try some variety. Walk on Monday, use the treadmill on Tuesday, go to the gym on Wednesday and so on.

You know yourself. Figure out a psychological trick that will get you to exercise consistently. Then you will be able to enjoy your new body, and the new you!