Exercise motivation starts with making changes. Working out requires a change of lifestyle from what may be comfortable, though unhealthy. Changing your attitude toward exercise triggers the action to establish new lifestyle patterns.

The motivation to exercise stems from envisioning the benefits. If you can image how fitness will improve your life, and believe that you can achieve your desired results, you will create the outcomes.

If mental inertia inhibits you from starting a fitness program, take small steps to overcome it. These 10 effective tips on exercise motivation can help you take action:

1. Practice initiating change. No matter how insignificant or seemingly unrelated to exercise, change your habits. Drive a different way to work, rearrange the furniture, or alter the daily order of things. Just practice change.

2. Let go of the past. Clean out a closet and get rid of things. Release the clutter in your mind. Purge the old to make room for the new--attitudes and behaviors included.

3. Do any physical activity that you feel good about. Just to get active, complete a project that requires some energy--paint a room, go on a hike, jog around the bases at a ball park, or ride a bike. Exercise can be more fun than running on a treadmill.

4. Start writing. Keep a workout journal. Record what you do, how you feel, and even what you eat. Subtle changes in patterns are more evident when you review your journal and reflect on your progress.

5. Set up a goal chart and time line. Choose specific, realistic goals and deadlines for reaching them. Identify how you will measure your progress. Seeing real improvements boosts your confidence and motivates you to continue.

6. Commit to an exercise schedule. Make your workouts a priority. The time dedicated to fitness improves the quality of your life. Try not to compromise it.

7. Find a workout partner or group. Meet on a regular basis. Support and encourage each other, and hold each other accountable for staying on track.

8. Change your workouts daily. Design your program so that no two workouts are alike. Vary your exercises, intensity, duration, volume--anything that prevents boredom and predictability.

9. Keep going! Exercise adherence is the key to success. If you miss a day, it should be the exception. Do not get into the habit of making excuses not to exercise.

10. Celebrate successes! When you reach milestones, reward yourself. Each checkpoint shows that you are closer to reaching your goals.

Once you have achieved your exercise goals, perform a maintenance program to retain your new fitness status. If you decide to continue on to higher goals, be sure to adjust your exercise program in the desired direction.