Exercise can greatly reduce your risk of many chronic diseases and improve your overall health. For many people, however, getting more physically active -- or sticking with it -- is difficult. How can you make regular exercise a part of your life?

This guide is designed to help people, step by step, put a successful exercise plan into place. The health benefits will begin almost immediately!

I. Let's Get Started

Step 1: Welcome

Step 2: The benefits of exercise

Step 3: Before you begin

II. Intensity and Type

Step 4: How much exercise is enough?

Step 5: Types of exercise

Step 6: Why use weights?

III. Safety and Comfort

Step 7: Warm up, cool down, and stretch

Step 8: Stay safe

IV. Motivation

Step 9: Just getting out the door

Step 10: Overcoming roadblocks

Learn More Dress appropriately Exercise equipment Exercise and motherhood Exercise reduces falls among the elderly Help your child stay active How do I find my target heart zone? Make exercise fun The stages of change - where are you? Stretches Types of exercises Weather-related tips

Helpful Handouts My exercise motivation - worksheet

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