What's a Couch Potato to Do?

I know I should exercise, but I just dread it. I used to run, but now I can't even drag myself out of bed in the morning. I'm just not a morning person, and I don't have any energy. What can be done for a person like me?

The key is to discover what really appeals to you, because in the long term, that's what's going to keep you exercising. Many studies have explored what separates those who adhere to exercise versus those who want to exercise but don't adhere. Time and time again, these studies show that the people who adhere to exercise have discovered activities that they truly enjoy doing, so find something that you like.

Just getting a little bit of activity in each day will make a big difference to your overall health. If you're not a morning person, don't fight it. And don’t beat yourself up if you can't run a marathon just yet. You have to eat that elephant one bite at a time. So go for a walk in the afternoon when you have more energy, and each time you walk, try to go a little further. Slowly build your endurance and soon you'll be able to jog or run a little. Remember, True fitness is a lifestyle choice. Try to establish lifelong patterns of sustained action, not just momentary lapses of activity.

Supplements: Holy Grail, or Huge Rip Off?

I see a lot of ads for supplements guaranteeing quick muscle gains or weight loss. Isn't it true that everyone has a different metabolism, so everyone responds differently to these products?

It's true that everyone has different lifestyles and eating patterns, but there are still some commonalities. For example, all human beings have blood pressure readings and heart rates. The whole idea behind exercise is that we're either strengthening our heart and lungs through cardiovascular exercise, or we're strengthening our muscles through weight training. There are countless ways to accomplish these goals, but everyone basically has the same basic goals, to get our heart and muscles into the best possible condition.

Losing or gaining weight basically comes down to a simple mathematical equation: “calories in, calories out.” If you eat more calories than you burn, you're going to gain weight. If you burn more calories than you eat, you'll lose weight.

When it comes to supplements, I recommend a careful approach. First make sure that you're eating a balanced diet. A good multivitamin is great insurance. If you're interested in trying a supplement, don't just take the guy at the gym's word for it—do some research first. Get the opinions of a certified trainer, your doctor, and read about the supplement in objective forums (such as WebMD.com or theBody.com) on the internet. If you decide to try a supplement, do it for a limited amount of time to see whether it works for you.