Take Charge of Your Routine

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You're the Boss

Here's an example of a mix-it-up workout that you could do at home:

Perform two to three sets of 10 to 15 reps per exercise.

• Lunges with bicep curl
• Dead lifts
• One minute of jumping jacks
• Push-ups
• Leg circles
• One minute of jogging in place
• Donkey kicks
• One minute of invisible jump rope
• Front raises
• Bent-over rows
• One minute of stair climbing
• Reverse crunches
• Open books
• Hold plank for 30 seconds (rest for five second intervals if you need to)
• Tricep dips
• Kegels

Keep It Fresh

Need to mix it up even more? Branch out by attending a group fitness class at a local gym or try exercises found in women's health magazines or strength training websites. Join a walking group, tennis team, or softball league. There's no end to the number of ways you can move your body. Get creative and take charge.

Sneak It In

When you absolutely and honestly don't have time to exercise, try these tips:

• Take the stairs.
• Walk or run with your dog.
• Walk your kids to school or the park.
• Put the baby in the stroller and take a brisk walk.
• Keep comfortable shoes with you at work and walk during or after lunch.
• Do an "armchair" workout with your resistance band while watching TV at night.
• Put your kids in a wagon and pull them around the neighborhood … especially up the hills!
• Do 15 minutes of something now, like a quick walk around the block. Do 15 minutes of resistance band training later and 15 minutes of abs after dinner.