No matter what lifestyle you live, it is important for you to be disciplined and have a balanced diet. You may not be someone who enjoys lifting heavy weights, or running for miles. But health depends a lot on how you live, so it’s important to incorporate healthy activities into your life somehow. Don’t think that the only way you can exercise is by joining a gym or buying expensive equipment. Maybe joining a fitness center isn’t your style, or maybe you just don’t have the time for it. Remember that there are simple exercises you can do right from your home that will still help you look and feel better.

First figure out what your goals are. What are you trying to get out of your workout? Are there specific parts of your body you would like to focus on more? Whatever your motives are, remember that your main motive should always be to reduce the ratio of fat to muscle in your body. Building muscle is most important. That doesn’t mean you need to slave away for hours. It just means you need to remember to be dedicated to and focused on your workout, even if it lasts only 15 minutes 3 times a week.

If you’re looking for a simple work out, and you’re willing to spend about $100, consider getting these:

• A jump rope
• A foam roller
• A dumbbell set
• Pilates balls
• Pilates rings
• A resistance band

You can also make use of the things you already have in your apartment. You can slip your feet under a couch to keep them down while you do some sit-ups. Or clear some space on a rug for push-ups. If you’re prone to getting bored while exercising, find something fun to do. You could use your jump rope while you watch some TV (skipping is an extremely good cardiovascular exercise that costs next to nothing!) Or you could listen to some music while you do some stretching. You can also log onto YouTube and search for simple workout videos that involve no equipment at all.

Remember that exercise goes hand in hand with a healthy diet. The United States Department of Agriculture has developed the MyPyramid.gov website to offer dietary guidelines.

Here are the main pointers they provide:

• Make smart choices from every food group.
• Find your balance between food and physical activity.
• Get the most nutrition out of your calories.
• Stay within your daily calorie needs.

Try following these simple guidelines and improve your chances of being healthier and living longer. It’s a good choice to make.