Whether there are kids in the picture or not, September is a time when a lot of people do a mind-shift, putting the golf clubs, bikes and
tennis rackets away for another year and establishing the habits and patterns that will shape their fall and winter schedules. In fact,
September is second only to January as a time when fitness springs to the top of the to-do list, with gyms and training studios buzzing
with activity and motivated new members. At the same time, family and business commitments seem to increase, and the days get
shorter and darker. Improved personal fitness is a lifestyle choice that will be made by a lot of people this fall, with the rate of success
being determined by how prepared they are for the challenges.

Many of my clients are the busiest people you would ever want to meet, and it astounds me how they manage to fit it all in to their
schedules. I’ve learned a lot from them about time-management when it comes to fitness activities. If you’ve been playing hard all
summer and are now struggling to get enough fitness training into your already busy schedule, don’t despair — there’s a lot that can
be done to make it all work. Here are my Top 3 tips to help you achieve the fitness results you’re after, without upsetting the delicate
balance of your family or costing you your job.

Be accountable: Make an appointment and have a plan

For more than 15 years now I’ve witnessed the comings and goings of independent gym users and personal training devotees alike.
One thing I’ve seen that has consistently produced success is when an exerciser makes fitness a priority by scheduling appointments
to meet someone for their workouts. If hiring a trainer isn’t your style or doesn’t fit your budget, find a training partner that is ready
to take their fitness as seriously as you are. Hire a professional to develop a great workout routine, schedule your sessions, keep
them short and intense (30-minute workouts are outstanding) and be consistent. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Be prepared: Pack your gym bag

If you’re serious about fitting exercise into your schedule and seeing positive change in your fitness, you’re going to want to
have your exercise gear with you at all times. If you get a cancellation or have an hour to kill while your kid is in lessons, you can
do the quickie “Superman” change in the nearest phone booth or washroom and squeeze in a quick workout. If you don’t have your
gear with you, you’ll end up gulping a latte and nibbling a 600-calorie scone or a cookie. Make sure you have your exercise clothes,
shoes, water bottle, towel, healthy post-workout snack and your iPod for entertainment.

Be efficient: Don’t waste time traveling or experimenting

When it comes to fitness success, convenience is everything. Since working out isn’t enjoyable for most people (those who enjoy it
usually don’t need help getting it done), it’s pretty easy to find excuses to avoid it. If the gym is too far away, you won’t go. If your
last workout was half-hearted and took two hours, you won’t see it as a good use of your time. I can’t stress this enough