Pay yourself first

You've heard the advice from money management experts - it's necessary to build up a nest egg for retirement, so each time you get a paycheck, and every time you get a raise, "pay yourself first" - take a percentage of money out of that paycheck and stick it right into savings. No exceptions.

The same should be true for your exercise regime.

You need to set up a specific time each Monday, Wednesday and Friday (or whatever every-other-day period you select) to do your weight training. And you need to set up a specific time every day to go for a long walk or bike ride, etc.

And you mustn't miss a single day.

Which means if a girl friend rolls into town - invite her to your workout or to come on a walk with you...don't say, "well, I'll skip it for today."

You want to have the mind set that your time - your weight training time and your aerobic exercise time are sacrosanct.

Now,  having said that, there are times when you just must miss the time - but these must be exceptions, not the rule. Have to take your mom to a doctors appointment that you foolishly scheduled during your weight training time instead of later in the day? (which happened to me yesterday - to no avail as we still had to wait 30 minutes for the doctor to get to us)?

Well, try to get in your weight training later on in the day, for just that one day only. (Although to tell the truth, I blew it off ocmpletely. But then, I'm fit, and maintaining, not trying to lose weight.  ; )    )

But if you've got a husband, and/or kids, or a boyfriend, whatever, impress upon them the importance of your time. Don't sacrifice your time to cater to their whims.