We all know we should exercise consistently, but how many of us actually follow through? There are those individuals who don't make excuses and do make progress. What makes them different?

1. They Make The Time

Find something you really enjoy doing. How about walking, biking, golf or gardening? If you enjoy the activity, it's easier to adhere to it and keep it as a part of your daily routine.

3. They Set A Series of Small, Realistic Goals 

Plan your course with a series of realistic goals. Achieving small goals will help you stay on track, keep you motivated and give your confidence a boost. Don't simply say, "I want to lose some weight." Write down exactly how much weight, and the timeline for losing those pounds. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

4. They Enjoy Feeling Fit 

People who exercise regularly have lower stress levels, sleep better, have more energy and tend to be happier. It's hard to beat those side-effects!

5. They Don't Make Excuses 

Instead of wasting time looking for away to avoid exercise, healthy people use that time to exercise. When challenged by weather, time or family issues, seek alternatives. If we put as much energy into exercising as we do into avoiding it, we'd all be fit.

6. They Don't Criticize Themselves If They Miss A Workout                    

Life can often throw up unanticipated roadblocks. The successful exerciser acknowledges them and works around them. Don't dwell on what was missed, focus on what you can do in the present and future. A reporter once asked baseball legend Babe Ruth what he thinks about when he strikes out. Babe replied, "I think about hitting home runs."

Lifestyle changes can only come gradually and for the right reasons. My most successful clients view exercise as a hygiene habit, like brushing their teeth, not simply a recreational pursuit when they have some free time.