Relearning how to get in shape and starting an exercise program can be tough for the couch potatoes among us who want to get in shape. We know from past experiences that it's a lot of work. Plus, we're so used to being immobile and sedentary that it seems like a great effort to upset that equilibrium.

Unfortunately all of the health "experts" in this country seem to have agreed that in order to live longer and healthier, that exercise is an activity that we have to engage in. But, as everyone knows, today's adults are very busy. With all of the time spent watching T.V. and lounging on the sofa, who has time to fit in an exercise program?

There's a big divide between wanting to get back in shape and being willing to make the personal sacrifices necessary to do so. Some people love physical activity and love to exercise. For those people, getting in shape is no big deal. In fact, many of them are relatively fit already.

Others, however, that don't have that inner need or drive for activity, need to be pushed. Ironically, however, the best type of push is the inner push that comes from yourself. Unless you, yourself really want to become fit, lose weight, become healthier, and achieve all of those things that a good exercise program will bring to you. Unless you really want to do it for yourself - you will most likely fail.

Out of shape people who want to get in shape have to set goals. In most cases, that is the primary difference between those that are successful in becoming fit and those that aren't. In exercise, as in everything else, without goals you are rudderless.

A goal gives you an incentive, it gives you a target to reach for. For example, everyday, about to be married brides who want to fit into their wedding dress on their wedding day, set a goal to do just that. Every day, someone who is diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or some other debility disease, sets a goal of exercising to diminish the effects of their illness. These people have a good chance of reaching their goal. However, without a goal, odds are nothing will change.

One very unusual, but also very effective, way to get in shape is to use a trampoline. Unlike many forms of exercising, like running for example, a trampoline is one of the most fun things to do. Even children love it. It's also good because its a form of exercise that doesn't put extreme stress on your joints.

It's sort of like jumping rope, which is one of the best cardiovascular exercises around, but without the constant stress on your ankles and knees. A trampoline is great for outdoors. A mini-trampoline is great for both outdoors and indoors. However, if you use it indoors, you do need to have a high ceiling. Jumping up and down on a trampoline uses up a ton of calories which is why it's a great way to lose weight.

As you start to get in shape, you need to begin a healthy eating plan as well. You can and will lose excess weight by exercising, but losing weight is not the same thing as being healthy. If your diet consists mostly of junk foods like cola, chips, and so on - even if you are six feet tall and weight 140 pounds, you're probably not in good health.

Eating habits can be extremely difficult to change, but once you start to change, your new habits take root and eventually become second nature to you. The biggest problem in trying to change your diet is that we're all addicted to fast foods and as such we either have to wean ourselves off of fast food or resign ourselves perpetually to an unhealthy lifestyle.

As you get in shape you'll likely find that your self-confidence is improving. You might find it strange, but it happens primarily for two reasons:

1) No matter how old we become, achieving a goal makes us feel better and more confident.

2) As we exercise, we begin to look better. Many of us are self conscious about our looks. An entire liposuction industry and many cosmetic cream businesses have been built upon making us look better. So it stands to reason that as we look better, we feel better about ourselves and more confident.