Exercising common sense as well as your body is necessary when you put together a fitness program.

Some things to keep in mind:

Begin a moderate exercise program without consulting a doctor only if you're under 35, have no medical problems and are less than 20 pounds overweight.

If you are over 35 or have a medical or weight problem, you should consult a physician before starting to exercise.

Take it easy when you start. Otherwise, you may do more harm than good. "No pain, no gain" is a common misconception about exercise. It may be true for Olympic athletes, but it is dangerous for the average person to begin strenuous activities without proper preparation.

Start an exercise program slowly, increasing the amount of exercise gradually. It is important to stop if you feel pain.

Adopt a consistent program to run up a good bill of health. You will feel the reward after just a few weeks of consistent exercise.

Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.