Fitting in Fitness

After years in the Health & Fitness industry you'd think that regularly scheduling an appointment with myself to workout wouldn't be challenging. However, for me (just like you), it's an everyday endeavor. I too face busy lifestyle responsibilities like family, friends, work and a long list of other "to-do's". So, when it comes to fitting in a workout I'm always thinking creatively.

To keep the boredom factor at bay I cross-train. This is the best way for me to stay motivated (especially early in the morning, or in the middle of winter). Mixing up my routine also helps me avoid overuse injuries. A typical week of fitting in 4 days of exercise goes as follows:

• I'll try a new Yoga class each week (did you know there are several different types of yoga?)
• I'm sure to hit the weights with a friend at least 2x a week (We decided no chatting between sets, but coffee after our workout is a must).
• On weekends my husband and I try a lot of seasonal activities. Fall is a great time for us to hike and/or bike (on good days we climb Heartbreak Hill in our neighborhood). In the summer we rent a kayak for two and hit the water to navigate the coastal shoreline.

Almost every week I'm seeking a new health & fitness story for my TV segments. I have the pleasure of meeting some of the best athletes, trainers, and fitness professionals in the world and trying some of the most interesting and offbeat sports around.

• These include skydiving (yes, this is a sport), pilates (one instructor asked me my astrological sign--she trains you according to the personality traits of your sign), gyrotronics, rock climbing, ballroom dancing, astronaut balance training, etc.
• One motivational trick I use to be sure to get to the gym is to keep my gym bag filled with sneakers, sweats, towel, and a water bottle in the trunk of my car. If the opportunity arises I can easily join a class or jump on a treadmill on the way home from work, if I have a surprise cancellation of a meeting I can squeeze in a spontaneous workout.
• Another proven trick for me is to get it done early. Many times this means going to sleep earlier at night and getting up an hour earlier to work out before my day starts (putting my running shoes by the bed really puts the pressure on to get out the door). I urge you to try this -- I bet you notice your day runs smoother because you'll be more physically and mentally relaxed.
• My job takes me to some of the best gyms and spas in the world. However, when I'm at home -- I belong to a small gym right around the corner from my house. It's not fancy but it's convenient! When it comes to staying in shape, I think convenience is everything, It takes the hassle out of battling the numerous excuses of not getting to the gym -- worked late, traffic, etc.
• I recommend everyone own a pair of run/walk shoes. Even if you don't run or walk as a part of your regular workout regimen, walking to the store or through the mall can still be considered exercise.
• Like so many of you, one of my biggest challenges to staying fit is traveling. The fact is, airplanes and trains arrive late, traffic happens. One of my solutions is to plan ahead. I have quizzed many hotel concierges about their so called "gyms." If my hotel doesn't have workout facilities or if I don't feel safe going out for a run, I'll jump in a cab to use fitness facilities at other hotels. Some of my best story ideas have come from travels across the country. Wherever I am I always 'drop in' the local gym for a class. If you ever go into a hotel room where the "fitness" pages have been torn out of the yellow pages -- chances are, I've stayed there and the yellow pages are on file in my office.

Whatever you do, just realize that staying fit takes constant monitoring. As many of us have learned, if you don't watch out, it becomes easier not to exercise than to exercise. Plan ahead, reward yourself for a job well done, and don't get discouraged if you fall off track. Just jump back in!

Stephanie Oakes is a fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel, a contributing editor for USA Weekend Magazine and the LA Times, and appears on NBC's 'Today in New York'. She can be reached at soakes@beststuff.com.