For many people, the hardest part of getting active is getting started.

But having a plan can make it easier.

Let's hear how Rodney did it.

I've always sat on the sidelines ... or in my favorite chair.

And I liked it that way ... until my grandson, Charlie, asked me when I was going fishing with him. I was out of excuses.

If I was going to be a part of his life, I needed to get in the game.

But how? After lots of stops and starts, I realized I needed something to work toward ... to look forward to. For me, that was fishing with Charlie.

So I got the calendar out and marked the weekend days of our trip.

I had a few months to get ready. I wasn't worried about fishing all day ...

it was the 20-minute walk to the river. It may not sound like much, but for a sit-around grandpa like me ... that was like doing a marathon.

I started really slow. My first day out, I walked 5 minutes. Then each week, I added a minute. And when I was watching my favorite TV show, I walked around the living room during the commercials ...

That made it easy to get some extra steps in."

Before I knew it, I was doing 20 minutes ... and feeling good.

I even started using some light hand weights on my walks ...

I needed to be strong enough to carry my fishing gear.

Now I won't lie. It wasn't easy to keep going.

There were plenty of days when I didn't feel like walking or doing much of anything. That's when I called in some reinforcements ...

my two buddies ... to come walk with me and help me.

The fishing trip was a big success.

The walk was easy ... and I was able to help Charlie reel in the big one.

I couldn't have asked for a better time. We're already planning our next trip.

As for my buddies and me ... well, we still get together a few times a week to walk. That's become a habit I don't want to break.

So what goal can you set today to help you get started?

Think about something you tried in the past that was a success ...

How did you do it?

Then think about the small steps you can take to get active.

With a goal that means something to you ...

and a plan that you feel you can follow, you'll be ready to hit the ground walking, jogging ... or doing whatever activity you choose.