Exercise Routine

Cutting out the wiggle room in her schedule helps Lizzeth Davalos cut out the wiggle room in her will power. For her, good exercise habits are a matter of time management. Here's how to try out her exercise routine methods at home:

1) Establish a regular exercise routine."I work out four times a week, run five miles a day with my dog," she says. "No more cheating! It's best to take life day by day, and I am keeping at this, making sure I'm doing everything the right way."

2) Plan session times."Schedule your exercise routines a week ahead of time. That way, if something comes up, you can get your workout in."

3) Sign up for classes or activities.Putting your John Hancock on the dotted line helps motivate you to show up. Look for aerobics or spinning classes at the gym that require you to sign up, or try committing yourself to an organized running or walking race on the weekends.

4) Create an exercise routine calendar.Each month, sit down with a pencil and fill up the calendar with daily exercise routines. If you do this electronically, have the program send you daily reminders.

5) Never postpone.As Lizzeth says, "Don't wait until Monday, start today!" That?s just the kind of motivational thinking you can use to make today the day your change.