I know, I know. Getting up off the couch and turning off the TV to get into 'fitness mode' can be a giant feat in itself. So, if you've come this far, congratulations! You are on your way to a better you. Motivation for success must be found from the inside. Only YOU can make a difference for your body. The benefits of looking good are feeling good, healthy and strong. Below are some tips to help get you started with your own personalized fitness routine.

1.) DO SOMETHING YOU LIKE- Find an activity that you have interest in, or at the very least something you can tolerate. ANYTHING. Whether it's Frisbee, basketball, swimming or country line dancing it doesn't matter…. Just Do It!

2.) Incorporate your fitness program into your busy schedule. Set times and places for your workouts. Put yourself on a strict schedule and organize the rest of your life around it. Make it a priority. Otherwise, life gets in the way and you'll avoid being active.

3.) GET A BUDDY- Working out with a friend will help you motivate. It will be fun and you will encourage each other not to give up. It's always better exercising when you are laughing along the way!

4.) GET OFF THE SCALE! Weighing yourself is an inevitable downer, even if you are hitting your goals. It is easy to become obsessed with numbers or look at the next person in line for the scale and think 'if only I could weigh what THEY weigh'. This is very unhealthy. Better to take body-fat index tests every few months. If you must use the scale, do so sparingly, at most once a week.

5.) SLOW DOWN! Well, you know the story of the tortoise and the hare, don't you? Starting off slow will get you closer to your goals faster, you won't burn out or hurt yourself along the way. Gradually increase your cardio time, weight training and sets/reps.

6.) YOU ARE YOUR OWN PERSON. Don't compare yourself to the guy in the corner of the gym, grunting and groaning and lifting a million pounds and doing a thousand reps. This is not you. You are unique and different and your training program should reflect what is right for you. Once comparison starts in your head, you may begin to feel discouraged, envious or depressed when you should be proud of yourself for trying so hard. Learn to challenge yourself and keep your eye on your own goals.

7.) KEEP IT SIMPLE. Working at a pace that is comfortable for you is the key to a healthy exercise program. If you are working a strenuous exercise, make sure you are able to talk and breathe while doing it. If you can't, reduce the intensity of the exercise to a level that is more comfortable. You will enjoy it more.

8.) IF YOU MISS A WORKOUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. But, do reschedule it! One missed workout is okay, don't beat yourself up for missing it and fall into a cycle of despair. Just get back on track and make up for it a little by working a little harder. What's important is that you return to your regimen.

9.) GET INTO THE HABIT. Some habits are bad and hard to break but exercise is not one of them! Don't debate whether you should or shouldn't exercise. Accept it as a part of your day, like eating breakfast or taking a shower.

10.) MAKE A PLAN- An effective plan will lead you toward your goals. If you don't really know what to do or how to do it, find a personal trainer and they will help you with a system. You can remember and copy what they teach you and work on your own in the in-between workouts. Knowledge and experience are masters in any domain, and working out is no exception.