Did you resolve to take better care of yourself in 2005? Perhaps you decided to eat better and exercise more. A great idea, but have you attempted this same resolve every year of your life for the past decade or so? Hows that working out for you?

When you decide to do something healthy for yourself, what do you do? Is it an all-or-nothing mentality? This is a sure fire way to set yourself up for failure. If youve never worked out before or if its been a long time since you set foot on a treadmill or seen the inside of a health club, there is help out there for you.

For example, there are many fine fitness classes that you can join. Most health clubs and community centers (along with the Anchorage Senior Activity Center) offer a variety of fitness classes. Most offer classes for every fitness level.

If classes arent your cup of tea, however, then how about trying the weight room equipment? There you will find treadmills, rowing machines, bikes, step machines and elliptical cross trainers for your aerobic exercise. Most clubs have someone available to teach you how to use the equipment.

In addition, many clubs have personal trainers for hire to help you develop a total body exercise program. Some of the weights and weight equipment are quite intimidating to novice exercisers. Its best to have someone show you how to use these machinesyou dont want to injure yourself.

If you persist on having an all-or-nothing attitude, you may likely end up injured or defeated. Everyone needs to start out slowly and ease into an exercise program.

If youve been a couch potato for a few years, its not wise to go to a gym and try to lift a bunch of weights, run for an hour, and leave without stretching. When you do this, you create soreness that will prevent you from moving for the next week.

You will probably never get up enough courage to go back to the place that just took a small fortune from you so that you could come back for a year!

If your idea of exercise is no pain, no gain it would be wise to revise your views. The true adage is that no pain, no gain is insane!

The most important thing you can do when starting an exercise program is to listen to your body. Some of us are pretty detached from our bodies, so be sure to pay attention and listen closely. If something is painful, back off.

There are numerous exercises for each body part, so if one thing creates pain, try something else. For example, if the curl machine causes pain in your elbow, or if its too heavy, try using dumbbells or tubing. There are all sorts of creative ways for working the same muscle group without the pain.

Also, be aware that there is a difference between joint pain and muscle pain. Muscle pain is temporary and will usually go away when you are through with the exercise session, but joint pain is something that is ongoing and should be addressed if it persists.

In review, it is smart when starting an exercise program from scratch to first get some assistance: join a class or hire a trainer/coach. The best way to adopt a healthy lifestyle is by incorporating activity slowly into your day, carefully and without injury.

Remember, fitness is a lifestyle. If you want to stay healthy and independent as you mature, you must include physical activity in your day, everyday.

Bonnie Murphy

Bonnie Murphy has been a Fitness Professional since 1987. Before that she taught fitness in community school programs. When Bonnie talks, you should listen especially when it comes to Fitness for the "mature" woman. Bonnie is billed as a Fitness Coach for Dynamic Living and she is a perfect example of that lifestyle. Bonnie not only talks the talk but she walks the walk! Bonnie is considered an expert in her field of fitness for the older woman. Being certified by major certifying bodies shows that Bonnie is serious about her commitment to helping woman adapt to a fitness lifestyle. The continuing education that Bonnie receives keeps her up to date on the latest findings for the people that she is in contact with on a daily basis.