BOSTON -- Fitness, or being fit, means different things to different people. Most simply stated it’s the physical ability to do whatever it is that we want to be able to do! Confused? Then read on and see where you feel connected.

The American College of Sports Medicine and the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture have established exercise guidelines for general health benefits and the reduction of chronic disease.

30 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 times a week

ACSM and the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture have established exercise guidelines for weight loss

60 to 90 minutes of exercise most days of the week

Your goals are important in understanding how to approach your fitness/exercise program

Short term -- being able to lift a grocery bag, carry a grandchild, prepare for a fun vacation involving walking, look fabulous for a class reunion

Long term -- participating in a 5k run 6 months from now, living independently

STOP. Ask yourself how you want to feel, look, and act in the next month, year, decade

When you start realizing that being fit is more than just suffering through an exercise session, then it will be much easier to get help, make a plan and find the best exercise program and choices for you to enhance you and the quality of your life!

For more information on exercise guidelines, click here.