Helping yourself to avoid heart disease may be as easy as walking out the door - then around the block, or down to the post office, or around the mall. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Study after study confirms it - among the many benefits, exercise reduces the rate of heart attacks and other forms of cardiovascular disease. So get moving!

If you haven't been physically active for some time, the first thing to do is to see your doctor. You'll want his or her okay before starting to exercise.

Next pick an exercise you enjoy. Many people have the best intentions when it comes to regular exercise, but then quit shortly after beginning a program, often because they simply don't like to run, or swim, or whatever. Try your sport before committing to it with special shoes or clothing. If you like it, your more likely to stick with it.

The same advice applies to exxercise machines. Don't buy a walker, stairclimber, or skier without trying it out - more than once. Countless machines are unused in people's homes because their owners just don't like that particularr exercise. Make sure you try before you buy.

Try to find someone to exercise with, a buddy can help provide motivation when you might be flagging.

Remember, you don't have to exercise to the point of exhaustion to reap its benefits. Even moderate regular exercise is beneficial. So, What are you waiting for?