No time to exercise?

Every woman over 40 can probably quickly and easily list ten great reasons to excercise. But if the benefits of exercise are so clearly to all of us, why isn't every woman out there doing what she knows is best?

"The number one barrier we hear is 'I don't have the time,'" says Bess H. Marcus, PhD, who directs the Physical Activity Research Center at Brown University Medical School in Providence, RI. The center conducts scientific research on various aspects of physical activity and health.

That may be due to the mistaken belief that physical activity means hard, intense exercise, the kind that makes you drip with sweat and leaves your muscles aching the next morning. Did you know that you can gain significant benefits in as little as 30 minutes a day of physical activity? That could include some vigorous cleaning, a walk in the mall, or a fun exercise class with friends. Studies have also shown that breaking exercise into smaller increments that add up to 30 minutes is fine too. if you re trying to lose weight you need to increase the amount of physical activity you get (and decrease the amount you eat). But if you're focused on health, 30 minutes a day of moderate-intensity physical activity is enough.)

Time is a factor for all of us, but the simple truth is while you can't get more hours in a day, you can nearly guarantee yourself more days, and more quality time, if you set aside 30 minutes to take care of yourself today.

- Write physical activity into your schedule
- but stay flexible enough to roll with the punches
- get away from all-or-nothing thinking
- make exercise a priority