Again, cardiorespiratory exercise is basically any activity that gets your heart pumping (and it’s different for everyone). Here are some things to get hooked on:

• Brisk walking
• Running
• Biking
• Hiking
• Swimming laps
• Playing tennis

Find an activity you enjoy—you’re more likely to keep at it if you’re having fun. And how much should you aim for? Follow the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which say to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. You can spread it out in smaller chunks throughout the week to make it more manageable.

But having cardiorespiratory fitness isn’t all tied to exercise—there are other healthy habits you’ll need to adopt, too, according to Mayo Clinic experts. These include:

• Not smoking. If you’re a smoker, take steps to quit ASAP. It’s no secret that it’s bad for your lungs, heart, and your whole body.
• Eating healthy foods. Follow a heart-healthy diet, which focuses on whole grains, a variety of fruits and veggies, nuts and legumes, skinless poultry and fish, and low-fat dairy, while limiting saturated fat, sodium, red meat, and excess sugar, according to the American Heart Association.
• Getting cholesterol and blood pressure under control. High levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure can up your risk of heart disease. Exercise and that heart-healthy diet can help you lower your levels, and your doctor may prescribe medication in some cases, per the Mayo Clinic.
• Lowering your blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar can harm your heart and other parts of your body.
• Getting to a healthy weight level for you. Being overweight is associated with increased health risks as well—exercising and eating well are key to reaching a healthy weight.