A startling statistic has been circulating over the Internet. This stat claims that half of all those who want to lose weight don’t exercise. While this might seem mind-boggling at first, it is not entirely surprising, when you stop to consider what American culture has become.

In the early days of the republic, the majority of Americans did hard labor on farms. They were used to exercise during their normal workday, so they ate large meals in order to give them the energy they needed to complete their tasks. There weren’t any Oprah Winfreys around back then to question their eating habits.

In the 19th century, Americans began moving into cities to take factory jobs. Again, they spent much of their time on their feet. Many walked to work and to school, so exercise was a part of their normal routine. They didn’t have to worry about doing Pilates or strength training, since ordinary life afforded many opportunities to exercise.

Fast-forward to today. Many people have sedentary jobs, working on computers, working at desks, working at cash registers. They have little opportunity during their work days to move, let alone get up and stretch. At home, they may spend much of their time sacked out in front of a television set, or on their home computer.

However, studies have proven that the best weight loss plan combines sensible diet with exercise. Certainly, you can reduce your calorie intake. But it is also important to boost your metabolism, and that is best done through an exercise routine. Since you must burn a phenomenal amount of calories in order to lose pounds, exercise is crucial to long-term weight loss success.

But what if you don’t enjoy exercise? How can you possibly start an exercise program?

In short, you need motivation. This can come from a variety of sources. For instance, you might want to play your favorite up-tempo music during your exercise drills. This can provide the incentive you need in order to get moving. Another motivator can be to exercise with your children in tow. This could mean doing jumping jacks with your kids, or jogging while you push a stroller. You might also consider joining a “Mommy and Me” exercise class. Another winning strategy is to employ the services of an exercise buddy. This can be your mate, a friend, or even your mother. You can encourage each other, helping each other to overcome various hurdles to regular exercise.