Getting fit and staying fit is becoming harder each year.

At the start of every new year, society’s No. 1 resolution is to lose weight.

But losing weight is the beginning, and keeping the weight off is the goal.

Janet Edwards, 22, who once was not very active, is now more active than she has been in a long time.

She was going through a hard time in her life and decided to work through her problems by exercising. Last April, Edwards started running on the Murfreesboro Greenway.

The Murfreesboro Greenway consists of the Stones River and Lytle Creek Trails, which include nine accessable trailheads.

Edwards also works out at the Murfreesboro Athletic Club or in her apartment complex.

“I try to do three miles four times a week,” Edwards said.

She has ran three 5K races; two in Nashville and one at MTSU. These races are easier than running alone, she said, and there are people cheering you on at the one and a half mile mark. She also said participants would receive water and healthy food at the end such as apples, bananas and bagels, to refuel the body’s energy.

“I’m not a competitive person, but I am when I run 5K races,” Edwards said.

She also eats healthy in addition to taking vitamins. Her diet includes healthy foods such as steamed vegetables and fish. Before each workout, she eats a banana and carries a bottle of water. She said that she gets pumped up by listening to her iPod. While doing this, she lift weights, works her abs and does leg exercises.

Edwards had a few nutritional tips: stay away from fast food, avoid eating late at night, avoid alcohol, and eat fresh foods instead of frozen foods.

Jennifer Marches, a junior at MTSU majoring in exercise and physiology, has been living a healthy life as well. She is a personal trainer who is motivated to stay fit for herself as well as her clients.

“My sister keeps me motivated by calling me every morning and making sure that I am doing my cardio,” Marches said.

Marches has taught an abs and tone classes at the MTSU Rec. Center for a year and said she enjoys helping others live a healthy lifestyle, while maintaining her own.

She works out everyday of the week.

“Outside of class, I do cardio and abs in the morning and lift weights in the evening,” Marches said.

Proper diet, in addition to exercise, increases training’s results and is necessary for true health.

“If you eat right, then you will see results faster,” Marches said.

She said that she eats complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, protein and fiber. She only drinks water and Crystal Light sometimes.

For someone who only has 10 or 15 minutes a day to spare, March says she would suggest jumping rope, bicep curls and shoulder press, squats and abs.