It’s easy to get excited about the idea of working out but soon find yourself feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Having the right mindset and realistic expectations can help you succeed at a new exercise program.

Why Do You Want to Work out?
The reason why you exercise will determine whether you’ll stick with it. Internal motivation is more likely to lead to long-term success than motivation based on external factors. If you want to get in shape to look good at the beach or at your friend’s wedding, you’ll be less likely to stick to an exercise program over the long term than you would if you wanted to work out to have fun, manage stress and make new friends.

Make Exercising Fun and Routine
Many people enjoy working out with a friend. You can offer each other support and encouragement while exercising, and it can be harder to justify skipping an exercise session if you know your friend is expecting you to be there and will be disappointed if you don’t show up.

Try a variety of activities, and find ones you enjoy. That will help you look forward to working out on days when you’re tired or stressed. Switching things up can allow you to exercise different muscles, avoid overworking one area and prevent boredom.

No matter what type of exercise you choose or when you do it, make it part of your normal routine. Once you’ve exercised consistently for a while, it’ll become a habit that you look forward to each week.

Be Realistic
Don’t overdo it at the beginning. Think about your current fitness level and abilities, and do your best. It’s better to start slow and gradually build up your strength and endurance than to try to do too much too soon and get injured.

It takes time to learn anything new. Don’t get discouraged if you try a new activity and can’t do it right or keep up with others at first. Focus on your form and be proud of yourself for making the effort. You’ll become more proficient with time.

If you can’t find time in your busy schedule for a long workout, break it up. Several short, intense workouts can be just as effective as one longer session.

If you don’t meet your exercise goals or you overindulge in delicious food, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just resolve to get back on track and stick to habits that you know are good for you in the future.

Start on the Path to a Healthier Lifestyle
Beginning a new exercise routine is tough, and sticking to it can be even harder. Find activities you enjoy, be realistic about what you can do and focus on gradually improving. If you experience setbacks, realize that they can happen to anyone and stay focused on your goals.

Between working, taking care of kids and maintaining a social schedule, the hustle and bustle of daily life can cause some people to feel exhausted, stressed or both. If you find yourself dragging your feet in the morning, waking up in a funk or dreading a stress-filled day, try to make a little time for yourself to boost your spirits.

Here are a few morning tips to help you take on the day with less stress and more smiles:

Make time to stretch. Stretching reduces anxiety and tension and slows down your heart rate. It can also improve your energy and clear your head. And don’t forget that your body will feel better—there’s no harm in that! A few simple yoga poses first thing in the morning can also reduce stress. Studies have found that people who did a few simple yoga stretches every morning reported less stress and an overall improved quality of life than those who didn’t.

Come up with a ritual. Creating a little ritual you do each morning “just for you” carves out some quality you-time first thing. Giving yourself attention first will allow you to look forward to waking up and help you take on the day with a positive outlook. This ritual can be something as simple as sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee or reading a book for half an hour, or something more complex like working on a novel or learning a new language. Whatever you choose, it should be as essential to your well-being as your daily shower.

Create a secret smile stash. Come up with a few go-to smile-inducers to fall back on if you wake up in a down mood. Stash a collection of photos from vacation with family and friends, love letters from your sweetie, or music that always gets you dancing or lifts your spirits. These little happy-makers could help put a little more pep in your step on your way out the door, and make you ready to take on the day.

Many home cleaning products can be expensive and include harmful chemicals. With just a little extra elbow grease, you can save money by using some natural cleaning products you may already have around the house.

Here are some common and cheap items that are free of artificial ingredients and can make house cleaning simpler:

Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used for many other things than refreshing the smell of a refrigerator.

For a dollar or so, a small box of baking soda can go a long way in cleaning up spills. For a carpet stain, cover it with baking soda and spray it with a mixture of half white vinegar and half water. The baking soda will foam up, then let it set for three hours before scrubbing. Let it dry overnight and vacuum the baking soda up the next day.

Baking soda can also be used to help clean dirty pans; deodorize musty upholstery, pet beds and other things; and remove mildew from bathrooms.

Distilled White Vinegar
This can be used as a nontoxic disinfecting agent. You’ll usually want to mix a half-and-half blend of it with water in a spray bottle. The solution can be used to treat all kinds of stains, and one cup mixed with a gallon of warm water can be enough to clean an entire home’s floors. Just be sure you’re in a well-ventilated area because vinegar can have a strong odor.

Lemons
If you have a lemon tree, or your neighbor does, chances are you have way more lemons than you can use. Put them to good use to clean your house.

A few drops of lemon juice added to dish soap can boost degreasing ability. A dilute solution of water and lemon juice can get rid of food-preparation smells on your hands, and half a lemon in the refrigerator can remove odors.

Furthermore, the acid in lemons is an antibacterial and antiseptic that acts like a natural bleach, and oils in the rinds can help clean and shine items in your home.

Vodka
Not everyone keeps alcohol in the home, but cheap vodka can be used to diffuse smells, de-stink mildewey clothing, disinfect a mattress and clean glass, among other uses. Just keep it out of reach from your children, as you would with most household cleaners, even some of the natural ones.

Some days, keeping a smile on your face can be a struggle. Whether you’re dealing with a stressful career, medical issues or just feeling weighed down by your daily routine, repeating positive mantras can help shift your mood—if you’re open to it.

Below are four helpful happy mantras to lift your mood.

You can do it. Whether you’re under a huge deadline for work or trying to finish that last mile on the treadmill, telling yourself that you can do it will make your success more likely. Be your own cheerleader!

Just breathe. Feeling overwhelmed? Remind yourself to breathe. Pair this mantra with big, deep inhalations to feel calmer and happier.

Thank you. Gratitude goes a long way, and can shift your perception of things (and the way people perceive you) if integrated into daily life. Be thankful for getting to work safely, even if you had a longer-than-usual commute. Be thankful you have the funds to buy groceries, even when your list of errands seems endless. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

No judgements. This is easier said than done, especially in a world where other people’s lives are constantly popping into our news feeds. Annoyed at your co-worker’s cheesy engagement photos? Irritated that your college roommate seems to be traveling constantly, when you can’t even afford a staycation? Remind yourself to pay attention to your own life, and don’t judge or envy others for their choices.