Getting into a new routine can be daunting. It is intimidating to try a new exercise class when you don’t know the movements, and it’s confusing to try new recipes the first time with foods you haven’t used before.

For exercise and diet, there are plenty of common excuses that lead us to procrastinating or staying in our shell. Here are a few and my suggestions to nix them.

1. I don’t know where to start.
If you belong to a gym or can drive to the Rice loop or Memorial Park, then you’re off to a good start. Remember to get some new tennis shoes, too. Never run before? Walk.

Eventually, you will find an activity or sport that you enjoy and can build skills. Want to try a spinning class?

Tell the instructor you’re new, and sit near the back. Watch the people in front of you and modify the intensity. Most classes or activities don’t require fancy gear or props, so just show up and start.

2. It’s expensive to eat right.
Organic or fresh produce can be expensive, but processed food doesn’t do the body good, and it’s expensive to eat out. My trick for making sure I don’t waste food is to eat similar foods within a week and then change it.

For instance, I may buy a larger container of strawberries instead of three different berries. Bananas and apples are cheap, so now you have three fruits in your kitchen. Buying fruits and vegetables in season keeps the price low. And it's cheaper to whirl bananas than buy a pint of ice cream.

You also can buy meat when it’s on sale and freeze it. Make a list of food for the week and shop once (tips for that here).

3. I don’t have time to exercise every day.

No one said you have to exercise every day, and I think fewer quality workouts are better than seven subpar sessions. I am a big advocate of exercising in the morning because it’s over fast, it gets you energized and you don’t have to worry about doing it all day long.

Regardless of the time of day, outdoor activities are more convenient than driving to a gym, but podcasts (free on iTunes), DVDs and stretching count, too. And those you can do at home.

4. Healthy foods don’t taste good. I don’t want to try tofu.
I know this excuse well. It belongs to my husband. I really like tofu, but you don’t have to. It’s all about flavors and pairings. I don’t really like plain Greek yogurt, but adding honey, cinnamon and vanilla makes it taste great. Raw fruits and vegetables are good for you, but they can be boring to eat plain. Make a smoothie, roast or grill vegetables, or use bold flavors to season. Foods don’t have to be raw or bland to be healthy. It just takes some experimenting!

5. Cooking takes too much time.
Cooking can be time-consuming if you want it to be, but on weeknights, I’m all about quick, easy and homemade. I prep a lot on Sundays — I hard boil eggs for breakfast, I roast vegetables to last a few days, and I cook chicken or ground turkey to last, too. You also can turn one meal into another — shred leftover chicken for quick fajitas or add it to a canned soup. Breakfast for dinner is one of my favorite fast fixes — easy protein and carbohydrate pairing.

I also bake cookies, loaves or muffins to keep in the freezer. This is my favorite trick that makes it seem like there is always healthy baked goods for breakfast. And the freezer is also great for store-bought loaves of bread (you won’t nibble if they’re frozen) to defrost two slices at a time.

Once you get on track with making good decisions, future good decisions come easier. When you see things start to work, the excuses fade away. Take your choices one at a time and make a healthy choice. Then make another healthy choice and you’re on your way.

Follow Marci Gilbert's quest for a healthier life at www.marcigilbert.com