Most people will try anything--from the latest market craze to taking large amounts of nutritional supplements--but will avoid doing any exercise.

But it has been shown over and over, that a proper diet has to be combined with an exercise routine in order for the diet program to have a lasting effect. Diet is essential, but exercise is its essential partner. Diet provides the proper fuel, but a smart exercise routine uses that fuel to generate health and fitness.

You don't need to become a fitness zealot. A 20-minute walk every other day is a great beginning for those not used to exercise. Start your smart exercise program slowly, and work up to your goal. Most of those new to exercise get discouraged and quit too soon because they try too hard at first.

Start with some light weight training, using the small 5 or 10 pound weights then work up to 20lb weights. Some simple exercises can be done with curls and squats. Add a 10-minute jog, a 20-minute jog, then 30-minutes. Before you realize it, you will be jogging for a full hour!

If you can, invest in equipment that may help you get motivated. Others will need the social stimulus of a gym to keep their willpower up. But in either case, don't let your money go to waste. Make a commitment to regular workouts, whether at home or away. If you do join a gym, don't be shy. Take advantage of the expertise of more experienced fitness enthusiasts and the staff.

Just remember, that in order to lose weight and keep it off, you need to incorporate a cardiovascular exercise program into your lifestyle. This can be walking, running, cycling or swimming.

To tone your muscles and tighten any slack skin , you'll need to add resistance and weightlifting exercises. You can use stretchers, rope and pulley or other equipment to supply the resistance. Weight machines are great for lifting exercises.

As you get into the routine, you may or may not actually lose weight. If you're not obese but merely overweight, you may not see much loss. As you reduce fat deposits the difference can be made up by gains in muscle mass. Don't pay much attention to early losses, they may well be due as much to water loss as anything else.

But as you reduce excess body fat and tone muscles you'll experience many side benefits beyond a more attractive body. You'll feel better overall, be and more energetic in your daily activities. And all it takes is to add an age-appropriate smart exercise routine to your diet!