Q: Hi, I submitted question 667, but I have one more question. How can I stay with a routine. I've tryed exercising before, lasting about a week or two, then I get bored of it and stop. If I stop once I never start again...are there any effective ways to not lose focus?

A: I think having a solid well-planned routine, which I hopefully helped you put together, helps a lot. You should know exactly what exercises to do as well as what to eat throughout the day. With a bit of time (usually a couple of weeks) you'll also determine what weights to use for the various exercises to reach failure in 6-12 reps per set. Once you're at this point you will have complete knowledge and control over your training. That will help a lot -- before you probably haphazardly did some exercises in the gym and tried to skip a meal or two to eat less. Now you'll know exactly what to do, when, and why.

Beyond that it's helpful to have some expectations going into a program. Do NOT expect quick or spectacular results. Do remember that you're not doing this for just tomorrow or the next month, but instead for the rest of your life. That's no small thought -- to be healthy, strong, fit, and look good on top of it for as long as you live! Take pride in small steps which you make towards that goal, whether it be adding a rep on some exercise, lifting 5 pounds more, or losing some weight. Many small steps will add up to a huge difference over time. And stay positive no matter what happens or doesn't happen.

Finally, discuss what you want to accomplish with your family and friends and get them supporting you. If you can, find a friend who'd work out with you, at least sometimes. But find somebody who's as serious and dedicated as you are. If you can't find such a person, that's still OK. But it's good to at least have friends and family to whom you can tell your latest accomplishments and who can get you through periods when you just feel like giving up on everything.