Do you need to work out for an hour? Try working out at a higher intensity for only 30 minutes, rather than for an hour. My trainer definitely thinks 30 min for only 3 days a week is sufficient for cardio. If you are doing weights, do fewer reps at a higher weight. Invest in a workout DVD that you can do at home, to cut out travel time to and from the gym. Or try jogging/walking around the neighborhood or jumping rope for your cardio a couple of times a week instead of the gym.
What about working out on weekends and taking two days off during the week?
Look into hiring someone to clean the house once a month or every two weeks. It would free up some of the time you spend on housework.
If this is at all a possibility, explore teleworking from one to two days a week with your boss. Losing those commute hours can free up time to exercise.
Invest in a cookbook of quick and easy meals, and do prep work on the weekends, so meal prep during the week is easier.
I also use my workout as a stopping point for my workday. My job is such that my day doesn't have a set start and stop. I can easily work 10-12 hours a day if I'm not paying attention. And for a long time, that's what I was doing. But ultimately, that's not a good work-life balance. By having a workout scheduled at the end of the day, it forces me to prioritize what really needs to get done at work and also gives me a hard stop to the day. It's really helped to bring some balance back to my life.
I also am not in any way a morning person (if left to my own devices, I would go to bed at 2 or 3 AM and not get up until noon), but now that I've been working out for a year, I find that I do sometimes enjoy getting up early and working out in the mornings. I never in a million years thought I would do this but it helps energize me for the day, the gym is quieter and I don't have to wait for the equipment I want, it is great to know I have my workout out of the way, and I can feel smug about it all day.
I actually feel more refreshed and awake once I'm through the workout and starting my day and I don't notice the lack of sleep (and, it's amazing, when I'm not sleeping so late, I can get more accomplished during the day--it's like whole hours have been added to my day). I do think working out regularly has increased my energy level, so that it is easier to get up in the morning. So maybe after you've been exercising regularly for a few months, you might try a couple of AM workouts to see if you still feel the same way about them.
- Barbara