Getting started is half the battle when embarking on an exercise routine, but once you have made up your mind to get active, you then have to decide which programme suits you. Here are some pointers to get you started and on the right track:

* Have a look at your lifestyle and see how sedentary it is. If you spend more time standing and sitting rather than being physically active, then you definitely need to make some changes.

* If your aim is to lose weight, then first of all analyse why you are putting on weight. You may need to change your diet and not just your exercise routine. Consulting a nutritionist before you start exercising will help you combine the correct exercise with healthy eating for quicker, more effective results.

* Adding more physical activity into your day will help - go for a brisk walk at lunch time, cycle to work or get off the bus or tube early and walk the rest of the way, take the stairs, not the lift, or enjoy a game of rounders with friends at the weekend.

* Being more physically active during the day helps you to overcome sluggishness and become more productive. Adopting a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to be about going to the gym or being on a depriving diet, it's more to do with attitude.

* Cycling, power walking, light jogging, swimming, rowing or anything that makes your heart beat faster will help to strengthen your heart and lungs and give you a cardiovascular workout. As little as 20 minutes three times per week will make a significant difference.

* Make sure you choose an activity that you enjoy and you will be able to sustain it for longer. Having an exercise buddy also helps to keep you motivated.

* If you are on a sensible weight-loss programme you need to sustain your cardiovascular exercise for 20-40 minutes three times per week in addition to a series of body-toning exercises, either in a gym or class. Light weight training will help to burn fat and increase your lean muscle mass, giving you a better shape.

* Remember it's the cardiovascular exercise that loses the flab and the body-toning exercises that lose inches. The combination of both gets the best results.

* Make sure you are participating in a balanced exercise programme that will challenge your muscles as well as your heart and lungs. It is important to incorporate stretching and mobility work to keep your joints supple and your muscles long as well as strong.

* If it is fat loss you want, the key is regular cardio exercise of your choice, combined with two sessions of body-toning exercise per week that include some stretching and abdominal strengthening.

* For cardio fitness without the weight loss, just two sessions of cardiovascular exercise of your choice per week will help you to maintain healthy heart and lungs.

* Whatever your choice of exercise, make sure you enjoy it. Always seek professional help to get you started. Investing a little time in getting it right from the beginning will pay off in the long term.