In today's society, the pressure on how we look and how much we weigh can be overwhelming. We have developed an obsession with the exterior package to the point where it's difficult to walk past a mirror or store window without glancing at our figure and assessing its state of being. Are we obese? Are you too frail? Have we developed a pouch in the area where our stomach used to be? Are we speculating? We tell ourselves things like, "that's it, I'm going back to the gym tomorrow"; "okay, from now on, I'm only eating pizza on Sundays"; and "no more late-night munchies". While I believe that placing such a high premium on how our bodies "look" is unhealthy, I believe that having a fit body on the inside and out has a positive effect on our overall well-being.

When we begin exercising and paying attention to our diet, our self-esteem and confidence levels will quickly increase. Apart from appearance, another critical factor is feeling good. With this in mind, consider how you feel when you first get out of bed in the morning. Do you spring out of bed, giddy with anticipation of the day ahead? Or do you shuffle across the floor, one eye open, in search of the coffee pot? Are your arms outstretched and stretched to greet the day? Or are you massaging certain chronic neck and shoulder aches as you settle into your favorite morning spot? If you did not select the first or third options, consider that there is no better time than the present to begin your new fitness program.

Before you decide and commit to getting your body fit, keep in mind that the term "fit" means different things to different people. Consider a professional cyclist; fit means a high level of training, a great deal of time on the road, and excellent nutritional habits. Before a boxer is considered "fit" enough to fight, he must spend numerous hours in the ring, jumping rope, and dieting. A postpartum mother may decide that being fit is simply losing her pregnancy weight. Choose your definition of fitness and declare that NOW is the time to get fit.