This might be a strange question, but does anyone know how long it takes the body to convert excess calories consumed into stored fat?

(And this is probably a stupid follow-up question: If there is a relatively standard amount of time it takes the body to create the fat, does this mean that there is an optimum window for preventing the storage process by exercising?)

I think it depends on how active you are and the rate of your metabolism.

I was wondering that as well.

But for part B, maybe it doesn't really matter? I mean, say you consumed 500 extra calories that were converted into fat at noon. If you had the 500 extra calories of enegry waiting to be stored, at 10am, and worked out burning 500 cals, you shouldnt be storing any fat.
But what if noon comes and goes, you store the 500cal, and then work off 500cals at 4pm? If you didn't have any other energy immediatly available, wouldnt you burn that same 500?

I think Natalia has it right that it doesn't matter. It's like a bank account ... does it matter if you spend that $50 right now, or put it in the bank and spend it at 4pm?