Whether you just want to lose a few pounds, increase your level of health and feel better, or completely make over your body and be in the best shape of your life, the same basic principles apply. This article will shed some light on those principals and give you tips for reaching your goals.

Always be sure to stretch before any kind of work out or exercise routine. Stretching warms up your muscles and gets your body ready for a work out. Be sure to hold each stretch for ten to thirty seconds in order to get optimal results. Stretching also helps prevent injury.

Invest in a good pedometer to track the steps you are taking. A healthy goal per day is to get in 10,000 steps per day every day. Purchasing a pedometer will let you keep track of how you are doing and motivate you to make those changes to get more in. Treat it like a game and see if you can beat your best.

Exercise releases wonderful hormones in your body called endorphins, so take the time and enjoy them. Give yourself a few minutes after a work out, just to relax and enjoy the feeling of the endorphins running through your body. This is a positive feedback for your body that will keep you coming back for more each day.

Biking to work is a great way to improve your fitness. Check local maps to find safe bike routes in your community. Set aside ample travel time on your way to work because biking to work will take anywhere from two to six times longer than driving. Wear bright clothing so that cars can see you. Most importantly, enjoy the fresh air and the exhilaration of being outdoors!

Your fitness level is determined by how intensely you monitor your food intake, and your exercise program. There are things you can do to help the process along, and we have highlighted some of those in this article. If you set your mind to your specific goal and follow these tips, you will see results in no time.