Exercise is a great way to feel better, lose weight, and improve your health. Here are some tips to help you get started.

• Have a Realistic Expectation. Before exercising, have a realistic mindset on working out. Reaching your goals takes time and will not happen overnight.  

• Start Slowly. Set short-term and long-term goals for how much you want to lift or run. When you first start lifting, start with lower weight and higher repetitions. Before start running be sure to stretch thoroughly for 20 minutes. Walk before you start running so you can warm up your muscles.   

• Eat Healthier. Good nutrition is an important factor in weight loss. Weight loss is more effective with exercise and a healthier diet. A healthier diet doesn’t have to be a major change; sodas, greasy foods, and bread are poor for health and are the easiest to cut out of your diet first. These foods have a lot of carbohydrates and gain weight in your stomach.

• Don’t Be Afraid of the Gym. If you are afraid to go to the gym alone, have your friends exercise with you. A gym buddy is a great way to stay encouraged while working out.

• Stick to a consistent workout schedule and regiment. The more consistent you are with your schedule and your workouts, the faster you will see results.

• When you work out, be sure to use the correct technique so that you don't injure yourself. The worst thing in the world is to permanently injure yourself so that you will never be able to work out correctly again.

Look Beyond the Scale. The reality of exercise is that you won’t always meet your goals on time. The point of exercising is to feel better about yourself and to be in shape. If you have any advice on exercising or healthy tips, send them to contanct@cypressmag.com.