For years – probably since I graduated from eighth grade, in fact – I've felt guilty about not getting enough exercise. (My junior high actually had a rigorous physical education program; high school P.E. was a breeze in comparison.) I've tried things here and there, but nothing has really stuck.

My biggest problem has been time. Yes, I could always get out of bed an hour earlier, but I'd ultimately have to get to bed an hour earlier, which wouldn't leave much time after the kids go to bed. Besides, I'm not a morning person, so maintaining a morning exercise program is pretty much impossible. (I've tried.) I could get home an hour later, but then I'd miss dinner, and that wouldn't work well at all with the evening meetings that Julie and I attend once or twice a week. I could try to exercise in the evenings, but my motivation is sapped by the time the kids go to bed. So, basically, I'd all but given up hope.

However, a few weeks ago, a coworker of mine mentioned that he was going to go swim at the downtown YMCA – at lunch! Suddenly it all fell into place; instead of taking a lunch break, I'd take an exercise break. To make a long story short, I've signed up for a membership at the YMCA (through our company, which is a pretty good deal). Almost every work day the last couple of weeks, I've either swum at noon or played racquetball with my boss at 4, thereby getting the exercise I need without taking any more time from my day. (I now eat a quick "working lunch" instead of a leisurely lunch break, but it's worth it.)

I had to sign up for a whole year to get the good deal, so I'm hoping that my fiscal frugality will help motivate me to keep this up (there's no refunds). I'm enjoying it so far – I don't expect any big life changes, though it would be nice to be able to get up and down the stairs without feeling winded. Here's hoping.