Time is the one thing that we can never create and no amount of money will allow us buy more. Often, it is very difficult for the average person to find the time to take care of themselves. We work hard to take care of our families and fulfill our obligations as spouses and parents, but neglect ourselves. The reality, however, is that this does not benefit anyone.

If your mornings go something like this you know what I’m talking about:

5:30 a.m. – Alarm sounds the worst screeching noise ever created by humans or in nature and you say to yourself, “Didn’t I just go to bed?”
5:45 a.m. – Drink first cup of coffee. Possibly the most wonderful invention ever.
6 a.m. – Shower. Search through baskets of laundry that never got folded and you hope are clean. Find clothes. Dress.
6:30 a.m. – First attempt to wake children. They argue with you and roll over. Second attempt to wake children. Dress children.
6:45 a.m. – Fight with the child who threw a fit about the outfit you selected and redress child.
7 a.m. – Prepare breakfast for children in mad scramble to find homework, books, etc. — cold cereal or toast.
7:15 a.m. – Drink second cup of coffee somewhat more quickly than the first as you are running late already. Did I mention coffee is wonderful? Passably “clean” children’s faces. Someone will lie about brushing their teeth.
7:30 a.m. – Rush out the door to car. Load children into safety seats. If you brought your coffee cup with you, don’t forget to take it off the roof of the car. (I’ve done this.)
7:32 a.m. – Rush back into the house for work papers. It won’t matter, you’ll still forget something.
7:35 a.m. – Head to daycare. Feel immense guilt. Try to ignore the crying; yours and your kids’. Create a diversion and rush back to your car.
8:05 a.m. – Arrive at work a little late. Your childless co-workers, who have no concept of stress, are giving you dirty looks.
8:10 a.m. – Drink third cup of coffee … and now the real fun begins.

At this point fitness is possibly the dirtiest word ever created. Eventually, you arrive home and find yourself exhausted. You ask, “How do I find time to exercise?” “When could I possibly fit this in?” “I barely have the energy to move, let alone workout.” Sound familiar? Your lunchtime is too short, and your evenings are eaten up by swim practice and cheerleading. You still need to cook dinner, wash dishes, and put in a load of laundry. By the time the children are bathed, tucked into bed, and read a story, all you want to do is fall asleep on the sofa with a show on that you are too tired to actually watch.

There is hope, however — Brief workouts! No, you won’t look like the models on the magazine covers. (Truthfully, they don’t actually look like that either. The pictures are doctored.) You will, however, build a little muscle and strength, tone up, and lose a few unwanted pounds. More importantly, you will actually feel better and have more energy to do the things you enjoy! Do not wait until you have energy. Instead, get moving. Your body and mind will thank you.

Do Something/Anything: Much of the benefit of exercise comes from the first brief exposure to it. This means that performing an exercise, even if only one set or for a short period, can produce benefit if it’s challenging.

Exercise Frequently: The time you spend exercising can be cumulative. This means that if you walk for 10 minutes, three times a day, you received much of the benefit as if you had exercised for 30 consecutive minutes. Many brief workouts, over time, add up to big results. The same goes for expending calories. Burning a few here and there add up.

Anytime, Anyplace: Gyms are great, but if you don’t have the time or money to go to a fitness center, make the world your gym and your body the equipment. For example, if you do occasionally watch TV, perform one or two bodyweight exercises on the floor during commercials. Do yard work, shovel snow, walk up and down the stairs a couple of times, every hour. You get the point. Stay moving!

Keep your workouts simple and stick with them. The more you dedicate yourself to movement, even if it is only for a few minutes at a time, the more energy you will have and the better you will feel. If you take just a few minutes out of your day to take care of yourself, everyone wins, and you are on your way to Living Well.

Dave Bellomo welcomes your comments and can be reached at dave.bellomo@gmail.com.