Your Top 5 Exercise Excuses -- Busted!

2. "I Was Swamped So I..."

Walked to Work

"I put in long hours, and it can be hard to get to the gym. On days I can't fit in a formal workout, I make sure I walk the 60 minutes to and from work," says Emily Eynon, 26, a financial research analyst in New York City. Even stormy days don't discourage her: "The bad weather actually makes me go faster! And I keep an extra umbrella at the office in case it's raining." If you can't commute on foot, do a fast-paced walk during your lunch hour.

Scheduled A.M. Workouts

"Once I had kids, my workout schedule became erratic. For six years, I was yo-yo exercising -- on one month, off for two. But switching to morning sessions has helped me stay consistent," says Lisa Cruger, a 35-year-old teacher from Haverstraw, New York. She takes an early-morning Spinning class twice a week and also weight-trains three days a week. "I leave the gym at 6:30, so I can wake the kids, and we're all out the door by 8."

Snuck in Afternoon Sessions

Even though Adrienne Tabo's workdays are long and hectic, she noticed that late in the afternoons she had a pocket of time she could set aside for exercise. "I go hiking in the hills near my office," says the 33-year-old architect from Tustin, California. A bonus: "I often have to work late at night, so the trek serves as an energizing break. I come back mentally sharper when most people are combating an afternoon slump!"