One Size Does Not Fit All: The Art and Science of Being Physically Active

Plan ahead.

Track your free time during the day and schedule in something active. If it's only your lunch hour and you can't get to and from a gym with a shower in time, go for a walk. Walk to the corner to get a healthy lunch. Walk to the park. If there are stairs in your office, run 'em. Just do something -anything- that gets you moving.

Everything counts, in all amounts.

You don't have to do 30 or 60 minutes all at once. Splitting up your activity into mini-sessions throughout the day can be just as effective. A 10 minute walk here, a stair climb there, dancing around with the vacuum before dinner. If you're movin', you're groovin'.

Mix it up.

Something I have mentioned in other articles, but worth repeating. This is good for a couple of reasons. One: Mixing it up helps eliminate boredom, which could lead to you getting burnt out and quitting altogether. Two: It maximizes your workout by changing up the muscles that get used. Your body gets used to doing the same thing over and over again, and if the same workout is performed day in and day out, your body will eventually plateau and it won't react to the workout as well. Changing things up keeps your body (and brain) alive and awake wondering what move is next.

Get out of your comfort zone.

Do something fun that is also physical: Join a fitness or dance class that meets once a week. Not only will it be a break from your typical workout and same old routine, it has its social advantages too. You could meet many new, interesting people and maybe even hook-up with a workout buddy that could help motivate you and vice versa. And once a week is something you can schedule in and stick to.

Fake it 'til you make it.

Yeah, it's hard to get started. And it's hard to make changes. But once you make the decision to become more active and commit to this change in your lifestyle, being more active just becomes part of your day. Part of who you are.

I, as a wife and working mother of two young children, know all too well how hard it is to find the time each day to exercise. Do I miss some days? You bet. But I make fitness a priority, not only for myself but for the health of my family as well. And I remind myself that sometimes good enough is good enough. Just doing something is always better than doing nothing. So, "just do it"...do something).