Going from one who was opposed to exercise, to someone who works out at the gym at least 5 days per week has not been so hard. My friends ask me how I find the time, which is one thing I always said I didn't have (not for exercise at least).

Well, I realized that after work (I teach Kindergarten) I would come home and plop my fat behind on the couch. I would watch TV and surf the net until time to cook dinner. Well, guess what? that is when I exercise. I always thought that if I was working out, I just wouldnt have time to get all the things done that I needed to get done. Well, I am just taking the time that I used to do NOTHING, and I am using that time to work out.

Anyway, those of you out there who dont think you can carve out the time, think again, you will find it.

You are so right. When I think of the time I used to waste sitting on this computer, or doing nothing much in particular, I realise I had NO excuse for not exercising.

I'm someone who is lucky to have a fair amount of time to devote to it, I'm still basically a SAHM, I am completing my degree but I have huge flexibility. Last week, my baby went to school so none of my kids are home in the daytime now, luxury! In Melbourne, it doesnt snow, it doesnt get very cold (in fact the hot weather is a lot more of a problem) so I dont have to find alternatives over winter. So I absolutely cannot say that people's excuses that they have no time are not valid ones, it is really problematic for full time workers with families to care for and I'm already worrying about how I'll cope when I'm back in the full time work force in 2 years time.

ATM though, the kids are pretty full on after school and such, as a general rule, I drag myself out of bed and run three or four weekday mornings. Over the weekend, I find the time for my longer run, the one that takes well over an hour. That's it.

Paramount for me was finding something that didnt take a lot of time. Running is a very intense exercise that can burn a lot of calories in even half an hour. If I'd tried to commit to the gym, I wouldnt have been successful, becuase of the time commitment involved.

Even now, I want to begin some serious strength training, I will be seeing a personal trainer and having a home program worked out for me. I have to be able to do it without needing childcare, I need to be able to do it at 11.00 at night if necessary etc etc.

Finding something that fits your routine, and something that can be done quickly, like running can really helps. That way you can always get up 45 minutes earlier if you have no other time in your day.

I really do believe though that there's a period of a few years there when women have very small children that it really is almost impossible to devote the time you need to yourself. It was only after that time passed for me that I got banded, now I can leave my youngest in the care of my oldest and go for a swim if I please but for ages there, it was a finely tuned schedule between Doug and I as to who was going to be where minding the kids. Even now, we cannot go out and enjoy family walks due to Eliza only being 5, being too big for a stroller but too little to walk far or fast.