You know it's important to stay active but still find yourself falling back on old habits. What can you do? Planning for exercise isn't hard if you make it a priority.

Make your workout work. From arm curls to three-way lunges, review these tips on correct exercise techniques.

Here are some guidelines that can help you make the right choice when shopping for gear.

You can't walk across a room without huffing and puffing. Your arms get tired unpacking a bag of groceries. You're carrying more and more excess body weight. And you can't remember the last time you got any real exercise.

Like your signature, the exercise routine you prefer is individual. If you’re outgoing, for example, working out in a group situation could be what keeps you coming back for more. A more reserved person, however, might do better exercising solo.

Your exercise time can depend on everything from your work schedule to when your kids get up or go to bed.

Some excuses—I weigh too much, I'm too old, I have too many health problems—are in themselves strong arguments for increasing physical activity.

An exercise program includes more than just your daily activity. Be sure to warm up before you start and cool down when you’re done.

Good warm-ups and cool-downs can keep you from getting hurt when you do more intense aerobic activities that last 30 minutes or longer.

Your exercise goal is a total of 30 minutes on most days. Be sure you’re getting the most from your time spent being active. You’re working your heart and lungs. Try adding a few activities for other muscles in your body, too.

Getting your heart to work at the right pace means you’ll develop better aerobic endurance. A stronger heart can pump more oxygen to your muscles. Then you don’t tire as quickly during your hobbies, sports, or daily activities.

Once you get the hang of exercising 30 minutes most days of the week, you can move on to the next stage. Do this by increasing the intensity. This means doing your activity in one or more of these ways: Longer. Faster. More often.

Eight minutes in the morning -- that's all it takes to help launch you toward a fitter, trimmer lifestyle.