I recently received this email from a running friend, Fiona, who owns Fit Figures on W. 26th Street in Erie:

"I’m actually writing to ask whether you’ve addressed in your running blog the issue of consistency, sticking with exercise, how to make running/exercise a priority in a busy life, etc. Many of my clients at the club say they want to exercise consistently, but life (kids, work, chores, etc.) keeps getting in the way. Do you hear anything like that from your readers or friends? If so, do they -- or you -- have any tips on how to make sure exercise is a priority in a busy woman’s life? Since I'm single, it was never really an issue. I just got up early and did it. I'd love to know what solutions married-with-children types have found."

My own personal advice is to work out first thing in the morning. If you do it at any other time in the day, there is too much of a chance that something will interfere (Suzie will get sick at school, the husband will need a ride home from work, the boss calls a 4:30 meeting, a client wants to meet for lunch). If you get up early and get it done, you're set for the day (even if you can only do 1/2 a workout in the morning, it's better than saving it for the afternoon or evening when it may not happen at all).

Make exercise a non-negotiable habit. If it's Tuesday you run, or go to the gym, or whatever. Write it on the family calendar and make sure everyone understands that this is how it is. Don't get me wrong, it won't be easy. My husband still occasionally gives me grief about going to Body Pump twice a week after work and I've been doing it for about four years. You'd think by now that he'd just accept it, but every once in a while, he'll make a comment about how it inconveniences him. When he does that -- in my book -- he's looking for a fight. And, I never fail to give him one. I guard my exercise time fiercely. I will not apologize for it or feel guilty about it. Period.

A neighbor friend of mine says she never exercises because she feels guilty taking more time away from her kids after they've been at the sitter's house all day. Moms should NOT feel guilty about taking time to make themselves stronger (mentally, physically, emotionally). Trust me -- your children will benefit more from a happy, healthy mother who takes care of herself (rather than an unhappy, shrieking mommy who hates what she sees in the mirror and resents never having any time for herself). And, if you have daughters -- it's all that more important for you to teach them how to love themselves and to take time to recharge their souls and bodies and not spend every minute giving everything to everyone else.

If worse come to worse, take the kids with you. They make jogging strollers, wagons, backpacks -- all kinds of things to tote kids. Older kids can ride their bikes beside you. Admittedly none of these work very well for running (even the jogging strollers are cumbersome), but when you make up your mind to exercise every day, don't let any obstacle stand in your way. You can also work out a deal with a friend or neighbor and watch each others kids while the other exercises.

So, now that you know what I think -- what do the rest of you do? How do you find time to exercise in your busy lives? Share your tips, hints, tricks, strategies by posting a comment to this blog.

(Be aware that the verification code can be kind of a pain -- I know & I apologize in advance -- please keep trying. If we don't use a verification code, the blogs quickly fill with porn and casino spam! The verification code is case sensitive. If all else fails -- stick your comments in an email to me & I'll post them for you!