What is the difference between a goal and a dream? A deadline. Dreams are great to have, but this time reframe your exercise dreams into reality by getting goal-oriented. Focus on what you want to accomplish and get specific about how you are going to get there. Here are some steps recommended by the experts at Life Fitness to get you started on achieving your fitness goals:

Prioritize: We are all inundated with obligations and responsibilities these days, but when you finally decide to put fitness at the top of your list, you will be on your way to achieving the goal of a healthier, more productive life.

Mark your calendar: Now that you've decided to make your health a priority, put it on your daily planner. Plan your workouts just like you plan your meetings, lunch dates and doctors appointments. If you write down an exact time and keep it like you would any other important appointment, you will be more likely to follow through and reach those goals.

Track your results: There is no better motivator than measuring your success and progress. By seeing how much you've accomplished, you will be more likely to keep going.  The Life Fitness Virtual Trainer website (www.virtualtrainer.lifefitness.com) is a free source that allows you to upload your workout results so you can easily track and organize your success.

Set realistic goals: Keep in mind that 30 to 40 minutes of exercise each day is a great start to a healthy way of living. Many people embrace the 'all or nothing approach' to exercise and think they need to spend several hours at the gym in order to reach their goals. Many cardio machines offer specific programs to help you reach your goal. For example, the fat burning program offered on most treadmills might be a good option for if your goal is to slim down.

Lastly, don't forget the importance of setting both short-term goals for the days and weeks, and long-term goals for the months and years. It feels good to achieve small successes on the way to your long-term desires.