Let's face it: it's not all that difficult to start a fitness routine. Afterall, most of us have done it more than once.

The trouble, of course, comes with sticking with it. All too often, ourinitial enthusiasm and energy wanes, we get distracted by other things going onin our lives, or we don't think we're seeing results quickly enough -- and wethrow in the towel.

Yet many people do manage to hang in there, and would no sooner skip theirregular workout than their morning shower. What's their secret?

A recent study by researcher Diane Klein, PhD, shed some light on thesubject. Long-term exercisers (who had been working out for an average of 13years) were asked to rank what motivated them to keep up with theirregimes.

Their answers might surprise you. The exercisers were not as concerned withpowerful pecs and awesome abs as they were with feeling good and beinghealthy.

Here's how the study participants ranked their motivators:

• Fitness
• Feelings of well-being
• Pep and energy
• Enjoyment of the exercise
• Making exercise a priority
• Sleeping better
• Feeling alert
• Being relaxed
• Weight management
• Appearance

So, once you have your priorities in the right place, how can you become oneof the fitness faithful?

WebMD has compiled 10 tips for making fitness a habit in your life. Tocreate the list, we sought the help of Klein, along with long-term fitness buffRoy Stevens and his wife, Wanda, who is transforming her hit-and-miss exerciseschedule into an almost-daily habit.

1. Do a variety of activities you enjoy. And remember, there's norule that says you have to go to a gym or buy equipment.

"We've shifted our perceptions from regimented exercise to physicalactivity," says Klein, assistant professor of exercise, sports and leisurestudies, and director of gerontology at the University of Tennessee,Knoxville.

Having a variety of activities -- weight lifting, walking, running, tennis,cycling, aerobics classes -- will ensure that you can do somethingregardless of the weather or time of day.

2. Commit to another person. "The social aspect of exercise isimportant for me," says Wanda Stevens, a stay-at-home mom in Austin, Texas."I'll let myself off, but if I've agreed to walk with a friend afterdinner, I won't let them down."

She is six weeks into an exercise program, thanks in part to her husband'ssupport. Roy Stevens, who works as a management consultant, has become her"in-house personal trainer." They work out together every morning,doing a combination of aerobics, strength training, Tae Bo, and stretching. Ifhe's out of town, he gives her a wake-up call, and she takes the dog for awalk.

3. Make exercise a priority. "It has to be a non-negotiable,"says Roy Stevens.