Choose a fun activity. You’re much more likely to stick with an activity if you enjoy it. Try an activity which doesn’t seem like work, such as walking, dancing, swimming, skiing or biking.

Grab a partner. Having someone to be active with can keep you both accountable. Plus, you’ll have a pre-determined time for socializing.

Keep an activity journal. Seeing your improvement over time will help you stay motivated and set new goals so you keep progressing.

Set realistic goals. Have a realistic goal to work towards and think through the steps to get there. If you’re inactive right now, don’t expect yourself to get up and run the mile right away.

Make an appointment with yourself. You probably have appointments with other people all the time. Make an appointment with yourself to be active at a certain date and time, and don’t let other things crowd it out.

Change it up. Don’t think that you have to do the exact same thing every day. If you’re getting bored with your activity, try something else or find a new setting.

Be flexible. If you know that you’re going to have to miss a session of your regular form of physical activity, make a conscious effort to be active in other ways throughout the day. Walk during lunch, take the stairs or walk around the room while teaching.

Try a sport. Sports often have less of an “exercise” feel to them but can be just as good for you as going to the gym. Sign up for a team sport that you’re interested in and enjoy the instant social network that comes with it.

Reward yourself. There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a little incentive. Determine to reward yourself with a trip to the movies, a new pair of jeans or a massage when you reach a certain goal.

Use distractions. Listening to music, watching TV or flipping through a magazine while you’re being active can keep your mind occupied while your body does the work.

List your reasons. Make a list of all the reasons why you want to eat a more healthy diet or be more physically active. Post it somewhere you’ll see it every day so you’ll be less tempted to give up.

Use visualization. Visualize yourself finishing a physical activity session and how good you’ll feel.

Get outside. A study has shown that people who ran outside ran faster and felt less tired than when they ran inside. The experience of being outside can be refreshing and keep your mind occupied.

Lean on an expert. Find someone who’s experienced in your activity and go to them for suggestions and motivation.

Focus on health. Rather than concentrating on looking good or losing weight, focus on the health benefits of activity. A study has shown that focusing on health can help you feel better, enjoy the activity more and be more motivated to keep it up.

Keep a food journal. Keeping track of what, when and why you eat over several days can help you see where you’re succeeding in making healthy choices and where you could improve.

Start small. Don’t try to overhaul your diet overnight. Try adding one fruit or vegetable to your diet a few days a week, and build up from there.

Try something new. Try a new fruit or vegetable once a week. Find a recipe which looks interesting and expand your food horizons.

Be prepared for setbacks. Don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go perfectly. Remember that “two steps forward, one step back” means that you’re still moving forward.

Go public. Let other people know about the healthy choices you’re making in your life. This way they can help keep you on track and be supportive instead of questioning when they see you acting differently.

Post a picture. Find a positive picture which symbolizes your goal and post it where you will see it every day.