There’s that dreaded word again – exercise. We all know we should do it, and yet many of us make as many excuses as possible to hold down the couch rather than take a few steps with our legs. Why? Frankly, because exercise is hard. It’s like homework, only for our bodies. And until you establish a routine of regular exercise, you will continue to resist it.

If you’re wondering how to indeed establish that routine, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Here are a few tips to help you along. But above all else, keep this in mind: exercise literally adds years to your life. According to Time magazine, just 15 minutes of moderate daily exercise yields a three-year increase in life expectancy. Thirty minutes of activity can add four years. This means you can live a longer and healthier life by doing nothing more than moving.

But again, this is sometimes easier said than done. Your goal, therefore, is to determine the reason why you don’t exercise. Many people blame this on lack of time, but the reason is usually more profound. Perhaps you previously tried an exercise routine and didn’t stick with it, and now you feel like a failure. Maybe you don’t believe in the health benefits exercise can yield. Or perhaps you’re afraid of the effort exercise requires.

In any event, the key to establishing an effective routine is addressing why you haven’t already done so. Once you unearth that reason, create a goal for yourself, but be reasonable. If you can get to the gym once a week, that’s better than nothing. If it’s two or three times a week, even better. But don’t despair should you be unable to meet this goal, and don’t quit. A lot of people have to skip a night at the gym because of scheduling conflicts, and then out of anger or guilt quit altogether. Missing once, twice or even a full week is not the end of the world. And going when you can is better than not going at all.

Also, don’t try to fit a pre-conceived notion or mold of a fitness guru. Instead, do those activities you enjoy. If you don’t like the stair-climber, you don’t have to get on it. If you prefer to exercise in a class, opt for one of those available at the gym and skip the main workout area altogether. The idea here is to workout in a way that is most suitable to your body and personality. Conform the workout to your needs, rather than vice versa. Once you let go of the size-two, rail-thin and super-fit idealistic body, you’ll find  exercise can be as enjoyable as it is beneficial.