It doesn't matter if you have never lifted a weight in your life, are a gym rat, firefighter, dancer, new mom, or an athletic 80 year old who can out lift, out bike, and out stretch most 20 year olds. The key to achieving your specific fitness goals (whether they be weight loss, fat loss, running a marathon, biking faster, carrying heavier loads at work), is simple workouts that work with your schedule and your lifestyle.

If your exercise routine involves complex workouts that are demanding, and time consuming then chances are you'll abandon it. Here's how to find out if you're having that problem and what to do about it.

Has it been years since you worked out?
Are you gung-ho about exercising 6 days a week?
Do you have a special event coming up in 6 weeks?
Are you starting a diet, trying pilates, and hiring a trainer all at once?
Do your workouts last about 2 hours a day 5 days a week?
Have you committed to running a marathon or some other high pressure event?
Are you getting fit to attract somebody, get a job, or keep your spouse?

If you answered yes to any of these questions chances are you're setting goals that are way too difficult to accomplish in a short period of time. It took years to put that weight on or get out of shape, and for some it takes longer than 3 months to take it off or gain back endurance. Yes it would be nice to workout every single day for two hours a day and get great results in one month but the truth is that isn't going to happen no matter what that latest fitness book says. Read on and get 7 great workout tips that will actually get you great results no matter what your goal is.

Avoid Over-Committing
If have 2-3 hours a week to train you'll probably see results in 5-6 months. If you have 4-5 hours a week you're more likely to see results in 4 months. If you have 7 hours a week you'll be seeing results in 3 months. The key to finding the time is to schedule it and the key to working out consistently is to be realistic about how much time you actually have to workout. Those who over committ often fail, so be sure that your work and family schedule allows for the number of workouts you are planning to do each week.

Use Your Workout Time Wisely
A balance of cardio, strength training, and flexibility creates the ideal conditions for increased endurance and strength, fat loss, weight loss, and injury rehab or prevention. If you focus too much on one type of exercise, for example yoga, you won't burn as many calories and have trouble losing weight. If you focus too much on cardio and neglect strength, you'll never build fat burning muscle. If you focus too much on strength and neglect cardio and flexibility you'll end up injured. When you have an hour to workout spend 30 minutes on strength training, 20 minutes on cardio, and 10 minutes on stretching. If you have 30 minutes to workout spend 10 minutes on strength, 20 minutes on cardio and 10 minutes on stretching, etc.

Don't Neglect Your Diet
Your nutrition has alot more to do with how fast you will drop those pounds, what amount of time it will take you to run that marathon, and how much muscle you will gain and fat you will lose. Most people think if they exercise really really hard and long a few times a week they can eat whatever they want but the truth is your diet matters about 80% and your workouts matter about 20% when it comes to achieving most fitness goals. Run dehydrated and carb depleted and you get severe cramps or end up in the hospital, drink too much caffeine and you'll be sick during your weight training session, eat too many carbs and sugar at night and you'll be bulking up rather than leaning out. Every goal has a specific diet plan that goes with it so do your research and get the 411 on what will work for your specific situation.

Simplify and get results with The Eat-Clean Diet Workout: Quick Routines for Your Best Body Ever (with DVD)