How many years have we found ourselves doing the same old thing? At the first of the year, we make that resolution to get in shape and stay in shape. Everyone does it. That’s why the health clubs are so busy in January. But by Valentine’s Day most of us don’t even remember the way to the gym. The health clubs don’t care, they got their money. We keep paying them each month, hoping we will make it back. But life takes over.

Tell me this, why do we put our health on hold until January first? From Halloween on, most of us are stuffing ourselves and adding another 10 pounds to our already unhealthy bodies. We put off even thinking about our health until that dreaded New Year’s resolution.

Shouldn’t we be concerned about how we feel now every day? Shouldn’t we be concerned about our health every day? We should. After all, how can we enjoy the day without energy? How can we take care of our loved ones if we’re not taking care of ourselves first?

Women, especially, tend to put our own health on the backburner. We use so many excuses (or “reasons” or “barriers”) to not make our health a priority. One of our biggest excuses is time, “I just don’t have time for exercise.” But there are so many ways to fit exercise into the day. You could get up earlier, before your day usually starts. If you can’t get to the gym or don’t have equipment at home, you can do bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges and push-ups. The main thing is that we must make–and keep– that appointment with ourselves.

Try exercising during the first half-hour of your lunch. Then eat during the second half-hour. If you don’t have a problem sleeping after exercise, you can exercise in the evening. Many health clubs are open late, or you can work out at home. Or you can make exercise a family affair. Before or after dinner, take everybody out for a walk or a run or a bike ride.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean spending two hours daily at the gym; you can do a few exercises several times a day and still benefit. Just make sure those shorter sessions add up. You should be doing cardio 20-30 minutes most days of the week and strength training 2-3 days a week. It may sound like a lot of time, but if you break it up it won’t be as time consuming or overwhelming.

It’s up to you to prioritize the people and things that are most important in your life. If you invest in yourself, that small amount of time spent exercising will improve your quality of life by giving you energy that makes the rest of the day more enjoyable. If you feel you can’t do it on your own, hire a professional. Personal trainers can customize a workout that fits your timeframe, goals, and needs.  For more information please visit http://www.perfectfitpersonaltraining.blogspot.com