From time to time we all feel tired and can't seem to get up in the morning or would kill for the opportunity to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. In many cases our chosen solution is to up our caffeine intake or pop into the drug store for some 'energy' pills. Both of these solutions might work in the short term, but in the longer term they invariably make matters worse rather than better. So, what is the answer?

Well, believe it or not nine times out of ten a lack of energy is caused not by too much activity but by too little activity and the real solution to the problem lies in exercise. But there is a problem!

Most people who embark on an exercise program expect to see results instantly and, like most things in life, that just doesn't happen. Indeed, for anyone who has not exercised regularly for some time, there is going to be some initial soreness, stiffness and even increased tiredness. And, as if that's not enough, this is likely to last for more than just a day or two, or even a week or two. However, it has been shown time and time again that, as long as you are persistent, a regular exercise program will raise your energy level considerably and, thereafter, it is fairly easy to keep it there.

The secret to using exercise to raise you energy levels lies in approaching your exercise program in the right frame of mind and understanding that it is going to take some time before you start seeing results.

In essence this means planning your exercise program so that it comes at a sensible time in your day when it will provide you with a break and not add to your existing problems. For example, if you find that you are particularly tired late in the afternoon then this would not be a good time to schedule a visit to the gym. At the same time, scheduling your exercise for lunchtime might be a good idea and give you a break from the office. One thing you should avoid is exercising during the evening, as this can often lead to problems in getting to sleep at bedtime.

Then, once you've scheduled regular exercise into your day start slowly and gradually build yourself up over several weeks. As we've said before, results won't come in a week or two but after a couple of months you will definitely be feeling the benefits.