With the cessation of summer humidity and high temperatures, autumn is a great time to get up, and start moving.

Inactivity is a health risk. The financial costs of illness is burdensome, and the emotional stress may be severe. A daily dose of exercise is an important way to help avoid many types of chronic health problems, including heart disease, falls, and depression.

Here's a list of four exercise tips to help people get started.

1. Transform exercise into an adventure, by combining a trek with a visit to a place of interest. It doesn't cost anything to walk, or jog across a local bridge or along a river.  People can enjoy the view, the history, or take photographs of a landmark.

2. Exercise with a partner. When people go with like-minded friends, an exercise outing might be more fun, more productive, and provide the motivation to help each other stick with the plan.

3. Make exercise a regular habit. Consistent practice is more beneficial than haphazard bouts of physical activity. It takes time, effort, and patience to establish a routine. Eventually efforts will pay off.

4. Start slowly, and don't overdo it. If people are not used to exercise, they should begin a cardio program with a short duration of 10 to 15 minutes. Allow several minutes for a gradual warm-up, and a gradual cool-down period at the end.

Adapted from article by Irene Pastore, Specialist in Fitness for Older Adults (http://www.seniorfitnyc.com)