First find a partner to exercise with. That is a great motivator, it gives you someone that you have to report to and it gives you someone to talk with. It is never easy to go at it alone, so find a buddy that can workout with you.
 Set goals. Your exercising will always seem like it is going no where if you don't have something to aim for. Give yourself a reason to push.
 Remember that you are working for getting in shape. So when you start these might seem tricky. They will get easier, but start slow. Start with 10-15 repetitions and work up from there. You should eventually be at 30 repetitions of each exercise.
 The best way to shape and tone is through slow movements. Holding positions and stretching your muscles will do more for you then quick reps.
 For your back side start with the tush lift. Lay flat on the floor and bring your knees up. Your feet should be planted on the ground and your arms by your sides. You will lift up your butt and hold that position for about 5 seconds.
 Try that same exercise with a few variations. Do it with a pillow under your feet, with one leg up half way, and with weight on your stomach.
 With a basketball or soccer ball lean up against the wall with the ball behind your lower back. Squat down and up with the ball rolling against the wall. Go down slowly and hold for 10 seconds, then pull up slowly.
 For a challenge remove the ball and squat, holding the position for 30 seconds at a time. Reps for this should only be 5 at most.
 Push ups are a great way to tone your arms and shoulders. They can be done on your knees or feet, which ever you can handle. Also for a challenge, try it with a pillow under your hands, this makes your arms work a little harder.
 For your torso start with sit ups and crunches. Don't forget your love handles, bring your knee up during every other sit up and touch it to the opposite elbow. If you put a soccer ball or basketball under your lower back it will give you greater range of motion and work more muscles.
 You can use your stairs or just a block of wood to do steps. Walking up and down 50 stairs is a great warm-up or cool down.
 Make sure that you are doing at least 5 minutes for each a warm up and a cool down. This will ensure that you are getting the most out of your muscles during the workout. Forgetting this step will set you back and make your workouts tougher on your body.
 Don't forget to drink plenty of water while you are working out, your body needs to stay hydrated. Keeping a bottle of water close by makes that easy to do without interrupting your routine.
 Combine your workout with a healthy diet and you have got it made!