We all know the benefits of exercise, yet very few of use exercise as regularly and consistently as we should to really get the benefits.

There are so many reason not to exercise. It takes time. It’s painful. It’s boring.

If you’re nodding your head in agreement, hold on just a second, because the problem isn’t exercise itself; the problem is that you’re doing the wrong exercise. And the good news is, it’s an easy probe to fix. All it takes is two simple little steps.

1) Make sure the exercise you do is right for your fitness level
Exercise isn’t a one-size-fits all activity. Your body is unique, so you want to tailor your exercise routine to your body. For example, if you have joint pain, consider an exercise that is “low impact,” such as swimming.
Do an honest assessment of your current fitness level so that you know how hard to go. Start slow and work your way up until you find your comfort level. If you over-extend yourself or push too hard, you may hurt yourself or feel wiped out after a workout, which will make you less likely to keep at it.
On the other hand, once you start working out consistently, your body will adjust and you may find yourself hardly breaking a sweat. When this happens, you run the risk of getting bored or discouraged by not seeing results. To avoid getting stuck in a rut, try pushing yourself just a little harder or mixing up your routine with new movements.

2) Make sure the exercise you do is fun.
The idea of spending hours in a gym lifting weights or running on a treadmill may appeal to some people but not to you. So get creative and think outside the box. Make a list of activities you do enjoy, and make those your exercise.
• If you love the outdoors, exercise there — jogging, biking, gardening.
• If you like TV, work out while watching TV.
• Think of activities you can do with your family, like throwing a ball or playing tag.
• Make exercise an adventure by trying new things like yoga, Plates, hiking, shadow boxing or kayaking.
• Make it a game and challenge yourself by training for a charity walk or run.
• Get a dog — dogs demand attention and love to play, so they help to keep their owners moving.