“I know I need to exercise, but I just don’t have the time.”

Sounds familiar?

This is the number one reason given for not exercising: lack of time. But like so many “reasons” not to do the things you know you should to improve your life and health, it’s really just another excuse.

The truth is, you find time for the things you want to find time for. Whether it’s a favorite TV show, a kids’ soccer game or dance recital, or a gathering with friends or family, if it’s important to you, you somehow manage to squeeze it out of it.

Why not give your health and well-being the same level of importance? Once you’ve made exercise a top priority, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to fit exercise into a busy schedule.

Here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Put it on the calendar. Schedule your workout time like you would a doctor’s appointment or a parent meeting at school. Give it the same importance as any other appointment worthy of being included in the calendar or in your agenda. Make sure it’s at least three times a week or you may never see the results you want and you’ll end up quitting.

2. Get up earlier. Part of the reason so many people fail at consistent exercise is because they try to do it when they least feel like it: after spending a full day at work. Getting up an hour or even half an hour earlier in the morning gets you a workout and gets you out of the way, not to mention the healthy boost of energy you’ll feel that will get you through the day.

3. Buy a home gym or home workout equipment. There are extremely effective workouts that can be done at home with little more than a set of adjustable dumbbells and a training ball. You’ll be able to save the time it takes to drive to the gym (and the money for membership) and you’ll be able to fit a workout routine into your busy schedule much more easily.

4. Use the weekends to your advantage. It’s often easier to find an extra hour on the weekend. By making it one of your workout days, you have fewer workouts to schedule throughout the week.

5. Make the most of your workout time by multitasking whenever possible, especially when you’re walking or on the treadmill. You can read a report or read or listen to a book. You may be surprised at how much you can accomplish.

6. Incorporate the help of others and delegate responsibilities. If someone else at home can pitch in and help you on your training days, let them know you need their help. A spouse or older child can cook dinner, mow the lawn, or run an errand for you so you have the time you need to do your workout.

7. Lastly, if you just don’t see how you can squeeze another minute out of your day for exercise, at least work it into your daily activities. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk down the hall to deliver a message instead of sending an email, park farther away and walk to the office or during your lunch break. Any activity is better than none.