WHAT HAPPENED? To knees that used to sprint up stairs? To stamina that lasted all night and flexibility that welcomed the Kama Sutra? When and where our youthful chassis began to fail us may not be worth mapping, but the reward for bolstering the bodies we have right now is a happier, healthier, sexier life.

But how? Finding the fitness regime that's best for you is simple– it's one you'll actually do. You may have lofty goals and fine intentions, but if you don't enjoy the activity you select, odds are you'll never stick with it. And making exercise as pleasant as possible isn't rocket science. It's as easy as choosing to jog or walk in a beautiful setting, asking a friend to join you at the pool, signing up for a class with a great personal trainer, or just listening to music that rocks your world as you ride a stationary bike. But if you don't find a way to make activity interesting you risk the loss of time, money, and most importantly, motivation.

Getting and staying motivated is a challenge, and though the adage that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit is debatable in specifics, it's a fact that performing an activity consistently builds neural pathways that ultimately cause behavior to feel "instinctive." Which is why it's important to break long-range goals into a succession of smaller, easily obtainable ones. Promising to walk 30 minutes twice a week and accomplishing that objective is more beneficial than vaguely telling yourself that you have to lose 30 pounds and get into shape. Achieving a specific, pared-down goal sends a message to your brain, (and your spirit), that you're capable, and makes it easier to repeat that behavior. The more you repeat a behavior, the more habitual it becomes, and the more likely it is that you'll continue until you reach your long-range goal. You'll find that more reasonable expectations tend to incur fewer injuries as well, especially if you're just beginning to get fit.

Psychologists also recommend tackling one self-renovation project at a time. Exercising regularly, giving up junk food, and swearing off alcohol are worthy aims, but attempting them all at once is expecting a lot of yourself. It can be done, especially if your doctor orders you to do so, but taking things one step at a time increases the odds of success.

So those are the mindset basics for a positive fitness regime. To follow are steps to you get yourself moving.

1. DETERMINE YOUR CURRENT FITNESS LEVEL Doctors report that Boomers tend to overestimate their capabilities, overdo exercise, and injure themselves. It's been chalked up to our competitive natures, so be honest with yourself. Just because you were a track star in 1971 doesn't mean that you'll be able to run a marathon manana. Remember, "slow and steady wins the race."


2. SELECT A FITNESS GOAL Knowing where you want to go is important, but as stated above, break long-term objectives down into smaller ones, and be specific about it. Writing down just what you want to accomplish in a very literal way makes it simpler for your brain to grasp, easier for you to complete the task, and keeps the objective in your conscious thoughts. Sound corny? Maybe. But researchers claim it works.


3. KNOW WHICH EXERCISES DO WHAT Aerobic exercises such as running, jogging, swimming, cycling, and fast walking cause you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and strengthen the heart– a definite boon at our age. Core stability exercise– crunches and actions that work the body trunk without support– strengthen the back, abdominal, and pelvic muscles that brace the spine and coordinate upper and lower body movement. Strength training– activities that use barbells, your own body weight or resistance machinery– shape the physique and increase muscle strength and bone density. Stretching exercises extend the range of joint mobility and promote flexibility. And balance training– as simple as standing on one foot for an extended period of time– improves the ability to stay balanced, something that often worsens with age. A combination of these five exercise types will provide optimal benefits, but don't choose to do none if you can't do them all. Even 1/4 hour of moderate aerobic exercise three times a week can make a substantial difference in your fitness level.


4. GIVE IT SOME GUSTO Yes, you've been cautioned to take things slowly in order to gradually build up strength and endurance, but that doesn't mean you can expect results without any elbow grease. Regardless of the exercise you choose, it should be performed with enough speed and intensity to make you sweat. To be truly aerobic even walking should be at a fast enough pace to allow you to speak, but you should be too winded to carry on a normal conversation.


5. BURN, BABY BURN Not all exercise is created equal, and though the enjoyment factor and appropriateness for your level of conditioning are most important, it's also helpful to know how many calories you'll be burning as you get fit. AllDietSource.com provides data on calories expended doing everything from playing hopscotch to hang gliding.