Start with walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any form of exercise. Stick to your plan with friends, or even gamble on your chances with a new online resource.

Not motivated to exercise? Find a friend and do something fun.

05-29-09 RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Not only are we spending more money on candy and cigarettes these days, but according to a recent Gallup-Healthways Poll, very few Americans are exercising more than three days a week, and even fewer are exercising the recommended four to five days per week. And yet, many of us know that exercising can cure a whole host of ills, so why aren’t we doing it?

THE DETAILS: The poll of more than 400,000 American adults found that 49 percent of people work out less than three days a week, while only 27 percent exercise the recommended five or more days. Not surprisingly, of the 27 percent that exercised the most, a third had healthy body weights, and more of them reported lower stress levels and higher levels of energy and happiness than people who never exercised.

WHAT IT MEANS: Exercise is a solution for practically every major health problem we face: diabetes, chronic pain, depression, breast cancer, heart attack. “The benefits of exercise are not in question, and most individuals know that they should exercise, but what seems to be lacking is the motivation,” writes Healthways lead researcher Amy Neftzger.

To get motivated, and stick to an exercise plan, try these ideas: