Do you make time for exercise? Or find time?

Experts tell us to make time for exercise. Every time I hear that I roll my eyes. As a busy working mom, I cannot make time. I am not the almighty powerful father time. I have a house, a husband, and a toddler. I already have things I must do in a day such as sleep, eat, brush my teeth, shower, cook dinner, walk the dog, spend quality time with my family and oh yes, go to work for 8 hours a day.

That said, I had to sit down and take a good, hard look at my daily routine to find the time for exercise.

At first, I tried exercising after work.

Epic fail.

By the time I had worked a full day, picked my son up from day care, made dinner, and put my child to bed, I would find myself so tuckered out that I just couldn’t bear to exercise for an hour before having to shower and go to sleep.

Plus, the few times I actually managed to exercise at night it cut into my sleep time (and if you have young children, or know someone who does you know how important sleep becomes just in case you have to go without it!)

This getting-up-early-to-exercise plan of mine only works if I set my workout clothes out the night before and have them laying right next to my alarm clock. After my alarm goes off, I change right into my workout clothes, drink a quick glass of orange juice, and head to the gym.

I don’t give myself time or the option to think about what I am doing.

After about two weeks, it became my new morning routine. Now, it’s almost as if my body is on autopilot, so there’s less of me whining that I don’t want to do it (the whining is not gone, mind you, just less.)

Personal trainer and TNT FitClub owner Beth Bellew suggests writing down and scheduling days and times that you will exercise (aiming for at least three a days a week for about 30 minutes each time).

Now I want to know: What’s your exercise schedule? Are you a morning person or night exerciser? Why? What works best for you?

Try making a date with yourself for exercise for a few days and let me know how it goes (via our nifty comment widget at right).