| So if you are one of those people who hasn't found the perfect physical activity yet, |
| here are some things to think about which might help you make the right decision for you. |
| The first question to ask yourself is whether you would enjoy training in a gym. |
| Many people are put off by the idea of having to fit a visit to the gym into their busy day. |
| You often have to go very early or late as some gyms can get very crowded |
| but with regular training you'll see a big difference in a relatively short space of time. |
| Running has become incredibly popular in recent years. |
| That's probably got a lot to do with the fact that it's a very accessible form of exercise |
| that anyone can run even if you could only run a few meters to begin with. |
| But make sure you get the right shoes. |
| It's worth investing in a high quality pair and they don't come cheap. |
| Another great thing about running is that you can do it at any time of day or night. |
| The only thing that may stop you is snow and ice. |
| Swimming is another really good way to build fitness. |
| What attracts many people is that you can swim in an indoor pool at any time of year. |
| On the other hand, it can be quite boring or solitary. |
| It's hard to chat to people while you're swimming lengths. |
| Cycling has become almost as popular as running in recent years. |
| That's probably because as well as improving their fitness |
| many people say being out in the fresh air in a park or in the countryside can be fun, |
| provided the conditions are right of course. |
| Only fanatics go out in the wind and rain. |
| Yoga is a good choice for those of you looking for exercise, |
| which focuses on developing both a healthy mind and body. |
| It's a good way of building strength |
| and with the right instructor there's less chance of hurting yourself than with other more active sports. |
| But don't expect to find it easy. |
| It can be surprisingly challenging, especially for people who aren't very flexible. |
| Getting a personal trainer is a good way to start your fitness program. |
| Obviously there can be significant costs involved. |
| But if you've got someone there to encourage you and help you achieve your goals, |
| you're less likely to give up. |
| Make sure you get someone with a recognised qualification though. |
| Or you could do yourself permanent damage. |
| Whatever you do, don't join a gym unless you're sure you'll make good use of it. |
| So many people waste lots of money by signing up for membership and then hardly ever go. |
| What happens to their good intentions? |
| I don't think people suddenly stop caring about improving their fitness |
| or decide they have more important things to do. |
| I think people lose interest when they don't think they're making enough progress. |
| That's when they give up hope and stop believing they'll ever achieve their goals. |
| Also, what people sometimes don't realize when they start |
| is that it takes a lot of determination and hard work to keep training week after week, |
| and lots of people don't have that kind of commitment. |
| One thing you can do to help yourself is to set manageable goals, |
| be realistic and don't push yourself too far. |
| Some people advise writing goals down |
| but I think it's better to have a flexible approach. |
| Give yourself a really nice treat every time you reach one of your goals |
| and don't get too upset if you experience setbacks. |
| It's a journey. |
| There are bound to be difficulties along the way. |