[Shmead]

You have to accept that there is a solution to the problem, if only you can find it. It's like a jigsaw puzzle: if you know all the pieces are there, you can find the one you are looking for, but if you have doubt--if you think maybe there is no solution, the piece is lost--you'll never see it, even if it is right in front of you.

If someone offered you a free total body massage every day, any time you want, would you be able to find time for it 3-4 days a week? Lord knows, I would. Or if you needed to go to the doctor 3-4 days a week to get a medical procedure that could save your life, would you find time for it? Probably. This IS a medical procedure that could well save your life.

Usually solving this sort of problem involves seriously reconsidering all the things you've classified as "non-negotiable". It's like when your income takes a dive and you have to reconsider your budget, it's not enough to look at all the things you think of as extra, you often have to go into the things you think of as "have to have" and find a way to get whatever you have to have through a different method.

For me, I had to be willing to work less. I'm a teacher, and this is hard--I used to go into work at 6 and leave at 5: now I get there at 7 and leave at 4. This means that sometimes--weekly--kids want help and I tell them no, they have to come at some other time. I feel terrible about it. Evil. Back when my policy was "whenever you need help, I'm here", I had real breakthroughs with kids in those times. Kids are getting less education because of my choice. That really, really sucks. But making something a priority doesn't mean "first after everything else".

I can't tell you where to find time. I can tell you the time is there, if you look for it with an open mind.

[AbbiLoses]

The Wii is a great resource. Have you tried the Wii Fit Plus? I found that set of "games" to have the most challenging exercises. I like using soup cans to increase the difficulty for some of the arm exercises.

[synger]

I find that I have to have a selection of options available. Basic elliptical in front of the TV works, but I also have weights and videos when I have a bit more time. And for outdoor, I choose among biking, hiking (when my tendinitis allows), and gardening.

I don't exercise as much as I should, but I'm doing it more than I used to. I aim for three times a week nowadays, and plan to work up to five.

[VermontMom]

Lots of great suggestions and strategies here! If you opt for early morning, what helps me so much is having everything ready, as someone else suggested. I have to have shoes, socks, shorts, sport bra, everything put together.

AND I have to have the living room picked up, from the night before (I do mostly dvd's and tapes) If the room is cluttered or messy that makes it hard for me to concentrate...and it's so easy at that time of day to use anything as an excuse to get out of it! Plus the carpet HAS to be vacuumed recently. It is not fun doing push-ups on an un-vacuumed rug

[beansmama]

I went walking twice this week so far, first thing in the morning! It was invigorating. I was really really tired, but I did get going. Short walks. It's amazing to think that at one time I was running 2-3 miles/day and 2 hours at a gym. I have gotten so heavy for me, that just a 30 minute walk is a workout. I am pretty impatient, but all of these suggestions are so helpful. I sent the hubby out to get batteries for the scale finally today. 1st weigh in tomorrow morning. Thanks ladies!