Getting and staying fit is challenge for many of us.  So what's the secret of people who managed to make exercise a way of their life?

1. Follow these top three suggestions from the American Council on Exercise:

•             Strength training. Even 20 minutes a day twice a week will help tone the entire body.

•             Interval training. "In its most basic form, interval training might involve walking for two minutes, running for two, and alternating this pattern throughout the duration of a workout," says Cedric Bryant, PhD, FACSM, chief science officer for ACE. "It is an extremely time-efficient and productive way to exercise."

•             Increased cardio/aerobic exercise. Bryant suggests accumulating 60 minutes or more a day of low- to moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking, running, or dancing.

2. Don't strive for perfection or an improbable goal that can't be met, focus instead on increasing healthy behaviors.

In other words, don't worry if you can't run a 5K just yet. Make it a habit to walk 15 minutes a day, and add time, distance, and intensity from there.

3. Find a friend or relative whom you like and trust who also wants to establish a healthier lifestyle. Encourage one another. Exercise together. Use this as an opportunity to enjoy one another's company and to strengthen the relationship.

4. Too busy to get to the gym?  Make your plan fit your life, you don't need fancy exercise gear and gyms to get fit.

If you've got floor space, try simple floor exercises to target areas such as the hips and buttocks, legs and thighs, and chest and arms (like push-ups, squats, and lunges). Aim for 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, adding more reps and intensity as you build strength.

5. Be sure to pick an activity you actually enjoy doing. If you hate weights, don't go to the gym. You can lose weight and get in shape with any type of training or activity. Make sure you choose something that is convenient for you.

6. Try to work out at the time you have the most energy.  If you're a morning person, schedule your fitness activities early in the day; if you perk up as the day goes along; plan your activities in the afternoon or evening.

7. "Fitness is a state of mind," says fitness professional and life coach Allan Fine of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. One of Fine's tricks to get and stay motivated is to read blogs or web sites that show him how others have been successful.

8. Finally, remember that even if you follow all these tips, there will be ups and downs, setbacks and victories.  Just be patient, and don't give up.

By Marina Vjetrovic