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Email	.     You Can Do It Article By: Christine Carreon "I want to exercise, I just can't find the time." How many times have you said that either to yourself or to someone else? Anyone can find time to exercise--it's just a matter of making it a priority. "Probably the best thing to do is make a commitment to yourself," says Neil Maki, a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and owner of Dynamic Fitness, a consulting, education and fitness company in Michigan. "Just like you make time to take a shower or brush your teeth, it has to be a part of what you do every day, and it has to be for your own good." The "Coach" and I go for a run as soon as we get home. We don't open the mail, make telephone calls, etc. until later in the evening. We use the running time to talk about our day and plan the rest of the evening. After our run we spend time on strength training and sit-ups between sets and we're done! What a great way to clear the mind from the day's work and have energy to enjoy the evening. It's quality time we spend together three days a week. No excuses permitted in this household! On the weekends our workout is handled a little different. We prefer to workout in the morning so that we don't have to think about doing it later. By the time the evening rolls around, we're glad we did it early. To get started, the only thing you need is a good pair of shoes. The easiest piece of equipment to purchase is walking gear. Walking is a good way to ease into the routine of exercising. One recommendation is to organize a walking club with a group of your friends. You can meet at shopping malls, a park, your house, a friend's house, wherever. While at one company, a co-worker and I selected two days in the five day work week (and stuck to them), changed into walking clothes before leaving the office and drove straight to a lake. There was a walkway around the lake, which equaled one mile so we could track our distance. If it took us 20 minutes to walk one mile, then we could plan on one hour to complete three miles, etc. We also made slight changes in our walk so our bodies would not adapt to the same exercise program, such as reversing the direction around the lake and changing the pace. It was quality time with a friend and we were doing our body, and mind, some good. We took it serious and never missed a day. Our co-workers even showed up to walk with us because they knew we would be there. The optional day was a Saturday or Sunday, depending on other commitments. On the days I didn't walk, I did 45-60 minutes of aerobics with a video at home two days a week. Here are some suggestions for adding some aerobic activity to your life: Take a walk around the neighborhood after work Park your car farther away Go shopping (it's walking, after all) Walk to the mall or theater whenever possible When on vacation, walk from your hotel to restaurants, shops, the beach, etc. (One of our favorite places is Carmel, CA., where we do not drive anywhere for one week. Another place is Mammoth, CA. where every other day we run on mountain trails) The following are good ways to increase aerobic fitness: Sign up for an exercise class that interests you On Saturday mornings take lessons in a sport that interests you, like tennis Participating in sports activities with your children: hockey, basketball, soccer If someone makes an offer to work out together, take that opportunity Running/Jogging Cycling Swimming Dancing (The Coach & I dance at home!) The key is to continue the aerobic activity for at least 20 continuous minutes one day and the next day do strength training for 45 minutes. Alternate your aerobic and anaerobic days. Morning workouts seem to be better for most people because if you plan to do it later in the day there are many things that can come up. If you exercise after work, do so on your way home or as soon as you get home, before you get busy with family, projects and other commitments. Otherwise, before you know it, you're going to bed and you haven't exercised. You can do it! Christine Carreon Reference: Time Out! Jason Schneider, Today's Health and Wellness Magazine. International Copyright © of Coaches Education.com. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Coaches Education.com is strictly prohibited.