Exercise should be enjoyable. Gain control of your routine and think about what you want to get out of it. Decide what you want to achieve in the short term, as well as the big picture. Goals will keep you focused on healthy lifestyle change. Set goals that are S.M.A.R.T: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, "I will run a 5k in two months by walking/jogging/running three times a week." A short term goal might be to determine if you can do something simple like walk one mile. If not, that is a good, achievable goal. Long term goals should be something you hope to be able to do after a few months of dedication. Using the mile walk from the previous example, you might consider upping that to a 2 mile trip to the store and back. You might also ask your doctor if your body is capable of building toward running that mile. This simple step has many benefits. First, you ensure that you have a plan for getting enough exercise. Second, it will limit how much you exercise, helping you get back to other important aspects of your life. Scheduling time for exercise and other obligations is part of a healthy life balance. Make a "date" with yourself for exercise. Put it in your calendar just as you would a trip to the dentist. Remember, it's preventive healthcare! This will make it feel like a social appointment with another human being that you need to keep. You will be there to encourage each other to continue the routine after the newness wears off. This will also make it easy for you to monitor each other for early signs of exercise addiction. If your workout buddy becomes dishonest or secretive about their exercise, gets angry if they miss a workout, or is ramping up their workout to non-recreational levels, they may be developing an exercise addiction. You should watch out for any changes like this in yourself as well.
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One-sentence summary -- Set goals for yourself. Set aside time in your day. Exercise with a friend.

Before you start dancing to music, make sure you've got the basic steps down. Count out loud to help you find a rhythm and concentrate on perfecting each movement of your body. It might feel awkward at first, but mastering the moves without music will create the muscle memory to let you dance smoothly with music and other distractions. After you've got the basic steps and turns down, you can start putting your moves to music. Look up songs online or look for jive, jitterbug, or swing CDs to try multiple different songs. If you're looking for music online, look up "jitterbug music" or "swing dance music." If you've gotten down the basic steps and turns and want even more of a challenge, look for a dance studio near you that offers lessons. You can also look online for helpful videos, or buy a DVD that teaches you more advanced moves. Search for "jitterbug dance lessons near me" online to find a dance studio that offers lessons. If you can, call ahead of time to see what moves will be taught and whether they'll be challenging enough for you. When you're ready to show off your moves to others, head to a local swing club with a partner, or couple up once you get there. Swing dance clubs are lively places to try out an older but fun way of dancing, so don't worry if you're not an expert yet--just have fun! You can search online for swing dance clubs by searching "swing dance clubs near me."
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One-sentence summary -- Practice your basic steps without any music first. Dance to upbeat swing music once you feel comfortable. Find an instructor at a dance studio to try more advanced steps. Try out your steps at a swing club to dance with others.

Use white construction paper cut in circles and color in the moon phases with markers or use halves of styrofoam balls glued to posterboard to make a 3D representation. Color in the foam balls with a black marker to show the waxing and waning of the moon phases. This is vital to being able to create an accurate chart. There are eight main phases of the moon, each lasting roughly 3.5 days. The phase of the moon depends upon the way in which the moon is positioned in relation to the sun and earth at any given time. The eight phases are: New moon Waxing crescent First quarter Waxing gibbous Full moon Waning gibbous Last quarter Waning crescent Different positions of the moon relative to the earth and sun produce the visible phases of the moon. The moon phases chart is designed to describe the visibility of the moon at different points as it orbits the earth. By placing Earth in the center of your chart, you keep this concept in perspective. The sun is typically placed on the right side of the chart. This is important, because the moon phase depends upon the moon's relation to both the earth and the sun. If you place the sun to the left of the earth, you would have to move all of the moon phases to match this new position. The relationship of these three bodies is important, but the actual determination of right or left side is arbitrary. The earth orbits the sun and the sun is never at a stationary "left or right" in relation to the earth.
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One-sentence summary --
Make a 2D chart or a 3D chart. Know the phases of the moon. Place Earth in the center of your chart. Place the sun on your chart.