It’s that time of year again when we asses the different facets of our lives from career goals to money to relationships and everything in between. For millions of Americans, this is also a time when we think about our health and fitness goals.

We are bombarded every day with information on the importance of physical exercise to our overall health and well-being. Statistics show that there are decreases in mental health issues as well as physical health problems in most everyone that engages in a regular or “routine” exercise program. But who wants to get into a routine? That sounds boring already. We live in a world where everything is new, fast, fun and ever-changing.

It was easy to exercise as a kid because as a child you are wired to play. Children are natural at burning energy, and given the right outlets (moms really try), they will be physical in their play. So what happens when playtime ends, and jobs, family commitments and all the unexpected of life get in the way? The importance of exercise isn’t diminished. Just look at your waistline. You have to exercise on purpose. That just means making exercise as much a part of your life as brushing your teeth or grocery shopping.

Here are a few ideas that can help you continue to exercise on purpose:

1) Be flexible. It is good to have several options of exercise. For instance if you are a walker or jogger you may want to find a good stretching DVD to add to your library. That way if the weather doesn’t cooperate or the baby sitter cancels at the last minute you can still get a workout of some kind. Speaking of no-show baby sitters, just running around with your kids in a game of tag or Red Rover may be the answer. It may not be exactly what you a planned but something is better than nothing.

2) Grab a partner. Finding someone else to workout with you may be a good idea if your have similar schedules and attitudes about the importance of the workout. This has always been helpful for me as it incorporates commitment and a social aspect. But be careful of falling into the trap of “if my partner is not going, then I don’t have to either”.

3) Keep it fresh. If you get bored quickly with the same thing then check out your local YMCA or County Parks and Recreation programs for fitness classes. You may be surprised at what you will see. The Parks and Recreation department offers many quality classes and locations all around your local county. There generally is not a contract or long-term commitment so if your schedule changes with the seasons, this may be the right thing. According to Laura Pate with the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department, one of the fastest growing classes there is the “Couch to a 5k”, which is basically for those just getting into or back into exercise. They also are offering everything from spin classes, to Zumba, to Yoga and Pilates. In addition the newest trend is to offer classes that combine elements from all of the above.

In the article titled Five Elements for a Rounded Routine, the Mayo Clinic suggests incorporating aerobic, strength, flexibility, balance and core into your workout. These classes would give you all of that rolled into about 50 minutes.

4) Join a team. If you enjoyed sports as a child or teen this may be just the right thing for you. If you have never played, it still may be a good option. Look for a beginner team and learn the sport with others. Enjoy the social camaraderie of a team sport and the sense of accomplishment in learning something new. There are tennis, basketball, touch football, soccer and many other adult teams to participate with now. Play like a child again.

5) Be Creative. There are many things you can do everyday to add purposeful exercise into your life. Do push-ups or sit ups while waiting for the water to heat up in the shower. Instead of bending to retrieve something low, squat with your feet apart. If you are right handed, try using your left hand whenever possible to build strength and coordination. And don’t forget the ever-easy two: take the stairs, and park far from the entrance of the building to add a few more steps into your day.

Ultimately, the motivation has to ultimately come from within. When time gets tight, and you know that it will, some how you have to push yourself to keep moving. Hopefully this is the year that purposeful exercise becomes more than just routine for you and next New Year’s you are figuring out how to get that garage finally cleaned out.