Everyone knows that in order to lose weight, we need to eat sensibly and exercise regularly. It's so easy to say, but why does it seem so hard to do? I put it to you that exercising effectively is all about attitude. If you could just understand how simple it is to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, you could make a decision now to just do it. That decision would lead to weight loss, and weight loss would change your life.

Don't be fooled. You do not have to buy the latest exercise machine on the infomericals. If you already have one such machine (or more than one!) that's well and good. Get it out and set it up somewhere it can stay set up. (It's not as effective if you have to fetch it out of storage and set it up every time you exercise). Make it visual and ever present and it will remind you to exercise. However, if you have not succombed to the latest abs firming gizmo, don't worry one bit. Get yourself a large exercise ball and you can exercise every muscle using that, for a fraction of the price.

Exercise does not have to take hours out of every day. There are a number of brilliant daily exercise DVDs on the market that take between 15 and 20 minutes. If you can manage this three times a week or more you will be on your way to a better physique. Most people find that first thing in the morning is the best time to do their 20 minutes. At least there will be fewer interuptions and you will be able to spend your day knowing it's behind you, a great feeling! If you leave it til any other time you may find it playing on your mind during the day and you might feel as though it's hanging over your head. Unexpected things often come up and you'll find it squeezed out of your routine for that day. After you've missed one session you may feel a bit disappointed with yourself and less keen to continue. Does any of this sound familiar? Overcome such obstacles by choosing a time that's best for you, and stick to it.

Make it enjoyable. If something has to be endured rather than enjoyed it probably wont last. Sit down with pen and paper and jot down ten things you love doing. Then examine your list and see how you could incorporate exercise naturally into these activities. If one of the items on your list is - playing squash with a friend - then you're laughing! But chances are that your items are more along the lines of - dining out with my partner - and this will take some creative thought. For instance, where could you go to eat which is atmospheric, delicious, provides you with some healthy dietary options and also is near to a lovely beach or nature walk? Consider cycling to your cafe destination, and take the whole family! What great memories you'll make, plus you'll be modelling healthy living to your kids. In the summertime, my wife and I make a habit of taking the kids for a sunset walk on the beach, after dinner. No one's allowed to watch television until we return. What wonderful conversations and laughs we have enjoyed in these times of fresh air and no distractions.

Informally, you can make sure you're getting enough exercise. Examine your everyday routine. Do you always use television remote controls? Hide them! Do you look for the closest parking spot to the door of the shopping centre? Park as far away as you can and enjoy the walk. The walk back to the car with heavy shopping bags will serve as a substitute for lifting weights at your local fitness centre! (Cheaper, too!) Make a decision now to take the stairs, not the lift. If you are a bus traveller, consider alighting one stop later than usual and walk back. If you stare at a computer screen for most of your working day, set your phone alarm and at two assigned times every day take a brisk walk around the block. Watch your productivity and feeling of well being improve!

You can use competition to advantage, even if you're only competing with yourself. The key here is a little bit of organisation. Display a time chart somewhere you look often, such as your fridge door, and record every day the time it takes you to complete your walk. You'll be amazed to notice how much quicker you become with practice. This in turn will motivate you to continue. Make sure there's a column also to record your pulse when you walk in the door at the conclusion of your walk as this will show you your improved fitness levels, which will also delight and motivate you. In no time at all you'll be looking to increase the distance you walk within the same time period as you started.

Get inspired about where you exercise, don't just settle for your local neighbourhood if it's not interesting enough to maintain your enthusiasm. Where is your favourite scenery within a few minutes drive of your house? Drive there and give yourself some visual enjoyment as you walk. It might be bush, an allocated walking/cycling track, around a lake etc. If your favourite place in all the world is the local shopping centre there's nothing stopping you doing as a friend of my wife's. She arrives before the crowds every morning and walks the length of the building four or five times as her daily routine, and she couldn't be happier!

It is frequently the case that the overzealous are their own worst enemy. They throw themselves into gruelling exercise routines after determining they will not be slack this time, and end up either injurred or just exhausted, despondent and experiencing lots of aches and pains. Sound familiar? This is no foundation on which to build the rest of your life. Start slowly, move gradually to the next challenge, and be sensible. Your safety is paramount. So don't go jogging if you'd be better off walking briskly or swimming. And try to organise yourself an exercise buddy for accountability, encouragement and safety.

Swimming is a fabulous activity suitable for all ages. It is low impact and works all parts of your body. It is enjoyable and if you live near a heated swimming pool, it is suitable for all times of the year. You can go at your own pace and because it is an individual pursuit you will not feel as though as you are letting anyone else down if you are slow or awkward.

Some people just thrive on competition and if that's you, ensure you are in some kind of team sport competition. Recognise that motivational quality in yourself and feed it by joining your local footy or netball competition. Team sports are useful for helping us feel obliged to turn up regularly; the rest of the team make us accountable, which helps keep us on the straight and narrow!

Give yourself the edge and ensure you are consuming the most helpful drinks during your exercise sessions. Water, water and more water should accompany every form of exercise. At the end, you need to consume a whey protein based shake or drink to assist in fat burning as energy and speed up the muscle repair process. To this you can add L Carnitine if you really need to lose weight. This is most effective about 20 minutes after exercise completion. Make this a priority if you want to maximise the effects of your hard work.

This can be a new day for you if you are willing to put a bit of thought and creativity into your daily lifestyle. Now is the time you must make the decision to make some changes. Exercising regularly does not have to be painful. There are limitless opportunities to incorporate physical exercise into your daily routine. Your improved, slimmer physique will be your reward!