Exercise Excuses - Keep Your Gym Bag Packed

A meeting gets canceled, the doctor calls to reschedule an appointment or the kids get invited on an impromptu play date and suddenly, you find yourself with an extra hour to spare. Gee, I'd love to workout, you think, but it would take me so long to get ready.

That's an exercise excuse right there, and it's easy enough to fix. Keep your gym bag packed and at the ready. Stow it in the back seat of your car, your office or some other handy place so that when the moment presents itself, you can grab and go. And if the gym is a daily routine, always have it packed and ready the night before.

Can't or don't want to carry a bag around with you? Try designating a drawer at the office and stashing a pair of running shoes there for a lunchtime jog, or splurge on a locker rental at the gym. Here's a list of items you should always have in your gym bag. Now you'll always be ready to break a sweat.