Cholesterol control maybe one of the toughest things to master, mainly because millions of Americans have become so used to their daily eating and exercise habits. Letting go of your favorite foods and the effort of increased exercise might get depressing for some, even though they know it's best for them.1. Walk, don't run!If you need to slip back into an exercise routine gently after a long hiatus, do it in a manageable way. Don't over exert yourself at the gym (which can be damaging if you're really in bad shape), just start walking more. This can be as easy as taking the stairs instead of an elevator, and certainly by walking to the post office instead of driving there. Look for the small areas in your life where you know you can manage an extra stroll.2. Listen to Mom and eat your fruit and veggies.This doesn't mean eat them exclusively. Just eat more of them! There's a reason why vegetarians have reduced cholesterol levels and less heart disease. It's because of all that fiber intake. And an apple a day really does have its benefits. It's been shown that pectin can reduce your cholesterol levels and even curb tendencies to overeat.3. You can still eat fat.That bread on your plate doesn't have to be eaten naked (R. I. P. Dear butter). You can still eat it with peanut butter or a drizzle of olive oil and feel satiated. Both items contain good fats which have proven to reduce the bad cholesterol in your blood. Beware that they can be high in calories though, so don't think that eating an entire jar of peanut butter in one sitting is the right way to go, either.4. Take a vitamin.It doesn't get easier than this. Look for multivitamins that contain folic acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. Studies have revealed a reduced risk of heart disease when these are consumed, and it's important to make sure you're getting enough of these as you modify your diet.5. Chill out.Stress may not increase your cholesterol, but it will definitely won't help take away the risks. Feeling anxious and depressed triggers accelerated heart rate, tightened arteries and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. So the kindest thing you can do for yourself as you work on becoming healthier is to treat yourself well and find ways to relax.Every project, however, can be accomplished one small step at a time, and here are five for you to get started on. Lowering those cholesterol levels may be simpler than you think.