How do you fit more exercise in?

You might be well served by reading the CDC's exercise guidelines. Even 10 minutes at a time is great :)

I think it really all depends on what you want to do for exercise, since the best exercise is the exercise you enjoy. The exercise you pick will play a role in how you fit it in.

For me, it's a combination of running (outside preferably, at the gym when necessary), yoga at home, pilates classes, and yoga classes. I run first thing in the morning on my running days, followed by yoga for stretching purposes. Two other days of the week I have fitness classes first thing in the morning. Monday is my weird day since my intermediate pilates class isn't until 10:45am. I'm a fan of "do it early" and most of my fitness classes are compliant with that desire :)

Hi Gwen:

You make a great point: "...the best exercise is the exercise you enjoy."

I think I will start out trying several types of exercise to find the ones that I like.

Thanks.

---Joyce

That's what I did. I got the group exercise schedule at my local community college and tried everything that sounded even remotely interesting. I forced myself to give every new thing four tries to get beyond the "I'm an uncoordinated whale and this sucks" stage, and I found things that I LOVE.

This may be particular to me, but I found that after losing a large amount of weight, I am able to sleep fewer hours each night and still feel rested. I had pretty severe sleep apnea prior to surgery, which is now gone, which I'm sure is a major contributing factor.

I used to wake up at 5am for work, and now I wake up at 4am, using that extra time to get exercise in during the week. Weekends, I'm a little more flexible with myself - often I'll work in a hike that counts as true leisure and exercise at the same time.

Hi:

I'm glad you posted your answer. I have had severe chronic insomnia for many years. So I'm up for the day between 2 am and 3 am.

Usually, I spend most of that time on the internet. Ugh!

A much better use of my time would be to exercise during part of that time. What a great suggestion!

Thanks.

---Joyce

I work full time and have an hour commute each way, family and a husband who sometimes travels for work, pets and I'm not as young as I used to be! It took a lot trial and error to get where I am now. For me it's all about being prepared, so seriously - planning, planning and more planning. I have my gym schedule, my bag is always packed in the car and ready to go and most importantly - I make it a priority.

Find what you like to do and make it happen!!

Hi Amy:

I think you sum up the issue of exercise very accurately and concisely: "... I make it a priority ... Find what you like to do and make it happen!!"

As you also said, it's all about planning and preparing ahead of time. I will work on these habits since they are not my strong points!

Thanks!

---Joyce

Joyce I wake up at 4 am everyday and either run, cycle or swim. I found its soooo much easier to "get it done" early than to wait. But that's just my personal preference.

I enjoy running when there is very little traffic and in the dark. I put on my headlamp and headphones and away I go.

I also have had some success with group classes. Other people can help you stay accountable.

Also, if you want, come over to our "Exercise and Fitness" forum. We like to post our weekly workouts. Just another way to stay accountable.

Hello:

I wasn't aware of the forum "Exercise and Fitness." I think I will follow it!

Reading it might give me me ideas about diffetrnt types of exercise and motivate me to keep moving!

Thanks for the great suggestion!

---Joyce