Beat the Barriers to Exercise

No Time

• Exercise first thing in the a.m. Extracurricular activities are less likely to get in the way.
  
• Go for a short, brisk walk on your lunch break.
  
• Get off your subway or bus stop several blocks early and combine your commute with exercise.
  
• Combine activities: Have "walking meetings" with business colleagues.
  
• Walk on the treadmill while watching the news or your "show."
  
• Delegate. Let your spouse and children share the workload. Think of it as your duty to teach responsibility, teamwork and a strong work ethic to your loved ones.
  
• Prioritize. Don't let errands and workload sidetrack you. You'll get more done after you're energized with exercise anyway!

Too Tired

• Exercise as early in the day as possible. As the day rolls on, mental fatigue makes it easier to talk yourself out of it.
  
• Recruit an exercise buddy. The two of you can keep each other going.
  
• Don't stay up and "zone out" during the Late Show. Turn off the tube and get your sleep.
  
• Modify your intake of high sugar foods. They give you a quick high, followed by a real low.
  
• If you're planning on exercising after work, have a late afternoon snack to give you energy.
  
• Find activities you enjoy or which provide you with the stress release, stimulation or social time you need. You'll look forward to being more active.
  

Bad Weather

• Choose appropriate exercise clothes. The right choices can keep you warm and dry in the cold, cool in the heat. High-tech fabrics and new garment designs make it easier to handle weather extremes.
  
• Find indoor options: fitness club, home equipment, exercise videos or t.v. shows.
  
• Walk around the shopping mall, but leave your wallet at home!
  
• If nothing else, stretch or do some abdominal strengtheners while watching television.
  

Child Care

• Working moms generally have better success if they exercise during lunch or around the workday when child care is already in place.
  
• Do a babysitting exchange with neighborhood parents. One of you watches the kids while the others go for a walk or play tennis.
  
• Teach your kids to enjoy physical activity by doing it with them! Street games, bicycling, hiking...
  
• Swap workout time with your spouse.
  
• Choose at-home options that could be done when kids are napping - yoga, fitness video, indoor bicycle.