doesn't have to be a chore. Many people loathe the idea of that next workout and are quick to indulge in fast food rather than eating good nutritious meals. Having a good attitude towards eating healthy and working out is more than half the battle. I have ten easy tips to get anyone started in the right direction towards a better, healthier lifestyle.

#1 Have Fun!

If your having a blast while your working out is it really a work out? The answer is yes. Finding activities that you like to do will not only improve your attitude towards getting in shape it will help take your mind off of the stress of exerting a lot of energy. Go shoot some hoops or toss around a football with a friend. Go jogging somewhere beautiful and take in the scenery. Turning your workout into a game is not only fun but your accomplishing something at the same time. The other day I played Nintendo Wii's boxing game and after every match I did ten push ups. Not only was I having fun but after about 15 matches I was feeling the burn.

#2 Be Creative!

Try not to get stuck in the same routine. If your getting bored your also risking throwing your newly found fitness ideals out the window. If your out jogging try changing your routes frequently and finding new places to go as long as you feel comfortable in your area. Maybe its time to dust off those roller blades that have been sitting in your basement for ten years, or grab the old bike and go for a ride through the hills. Try to think outside the box and work with whatever gives you the best results.

#3 Strength in Numbers

Get your friends involved! Call up as many buddies as you can and get a game of football going this weekend. If you don't like football ultimate Frisbee can be a fun, challenging, change of pace that can really burn some calories. Social interaction can help relieve stress and having good friends to talk to will make your activity seem like a breeze. Change it up and don't be afraid to brain storm and share ideas with each other. The more diversity there is the less likely you are to get bored.

#4 Eat Five Modest Meals a Day

The most success I've ever had with maintaining and dropping weight when I needed to was with this method. If you eat five small meals a day it will greatly increase your bodies metabolism and you will begin to naturally burn off excess weight. Try to avoid eating fast food at all costs unless your going to grab a salad.

#5 Vegetables, vegetables, vegetables...

Ok... So not everyone likes their greens, but if your like me and you do then your in luck. One of my favorite meals is a mixture of chopped vegetables, salad, and chicken, topped with shredded cheese. Not only does it taste good, but its good for you. My favorite recipe includes lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, baked chicken, and cheese. Chop up all the ingredients mix them together and your ready to go.

#6 Fruits are good too...

About an hour after breakfast if your feeling hungry grab a banana. If your feeling hungry after dinner grab an apple and a handful of grapes. If you can resist the urge to eat foods containing a lot of sugars and fats not only will you feel better, but you'll have more energy to do the things that you want to do. Basically any type of fruit is a great snack that will not pack on pounds and may even prolong your life. The potassium in bananas is great for your heart and fruits have great natural antioxidants.

#7 Exercise balls are cheap and effective

When I first saw these inflatable rubber workout balls on tv I admit I was a bit skeptical, but when I saw one at the local Walmart for about 10 dollars I had to give it a shot. There are a lot of different workouts that are easy to do that help improve the strength of your stabilizer muscles as well as improving balance and coordination. They provide great support for your back while doing crunchies making your workout as low impact as possible. If you can't afford a membership to a gym you can replace the majority of the workouts with one of these balls at a low price.

#8 Learn From the Pros

Not everyone is looking to become a professional athlete, but some of the tips that they might have are worth looking into. After all there is a reason why they got to the level that they are at. Search youtube or google for athletes and find out what they do to keep in shape and maintain a good diet. Maybe you have a friend that's in great shape that also has a good well rounded routine. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

#9 Work Hard!

It may not come immediately to everyone, but after you become comfortable with your routine and diet you can gradually begin to push yourself. Take baby steps at first and when you feel you are ready take your workouts to the next level. You may find that running three miles has become too easy for you so try upping the distance to five or six miles. Monitor how you feel and how your body adjusts to the changes and if everything is working out go ahead and push yourself.

#10 Don't Give Up

Sometimes its easy to listen to that voice in the back of your head that tells you not to get up. The same voice will tell you to sit on the couch and watch television with your favorite bag of chips. Don't give in. You are in control of your own body. You have the ability to not only look good, but feel better about yourself in general. There is nothing more gratifying than to be able to look in the mirror and be truly satisfied with how your look physically. It makes that next workout easier every time.

I hope you found this article helpful, good luck!