Physical fitness requires lots of equipment, tools, and supplies, but one piece of equipment you need may be as close as your computer. With templates designed to help you keep track of your exercise and eating habits, Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Office Online Templates can help you live a healthy lifestyle.

The Microsoft Office Online Templates Web site offers hundreds of pre-formatted templates and example documents that you can download to use with Office XP.

With a head start from templates, you can keep track of your workouts, schedule classes at the gym or meetings with doctors and nutritionists, or create a collection of recipes for healthy eating.

To use templates from the Templates Web site

1. Browse to find a template you'd like to use on the Microsoft Office Online Templates Web site.
2. Click the Edit in Microsoft program name button to download the template. A new document based on the selected template opens in the appropriate Office program. You can now edit and customize the document in your Office program.
3. To save the document to your computer, click Save As on the File menu in your Office program.

Log your workouts

With the Workout database — requires Access 2000 or later (450 kb / 4 mins @ 28.8) — you can keep track of the types of exercises or training you've taken on. You can create records to describe the types of exercises you do, the number of repetitions or duration, and the type of conditioning you're aiming for. Then you can create reports based on your workout history, to gauge the progress you've made.

Create a special calendar for classes and sessions

When you enroll in classes or begin working out with a friend or trainer, you can keep track of the appointments you've made with a calendar template . This template allows you to insert your own art or graphics above the block for each month, so you can create a special exercise-related calendar with inspirational pictures, quotations, or goals listed at the top.

You can also keep track of your fitness classes and appointments with a calendar in Microsoft Outlook®. You can Make a Copy of Your Outlook 2002 Calendar, and use it to keep track of your personal appointments as well as your business-related ones.

Healthy eating begins with healthy recipes

When you come across a healthy meal or snack you'd like to prepare again, you can use templates to create your own file of healthy recipes. You can add your own art to recipe cards, or download clip art from Clip Art and Media, and you'll be on your way to living the healthy lifestyle you're aiming for.