Best Cardio Ever: 15 Ways to Make It Really Work

Sidestep Excuses

Listening to your favorite downloads while you run or walk revs you up in more ways than one: A recent study found that tuning in to fast, upbeat music (think Fergie, the White Stripes, Amy Winehouse, Shakira) when you exercise can boost your endurance by up to 20 percent.

Find fun new workout playlists -- 15 of 'em at:

If you have a reward, such as a skim latte, waiting for you at the end of a walk, there's a better chance you'll get out the door. Or give yourself an exercise-related goal with added benefits, like getting in shape for an inn-to-inn walking tour of New England or for a vacation spent hiking volcanoes in Hawaii, suggests Mark Fenton, author of The Complete Guide to Walking.

Here's where multitasking comes in handy -- plan a weekly walk with your family. You'll burn calories, catch up on what's new, and help your children stay healthy: A recent study at the University of Bristol in England found that 12-year-olds who exercised just 15 minutes a day cut their risk for obesity almost in half.