About a year ago, I started my own business. And I quickly found out that my life would become consumed with details, deadlines and decisions. I had far more free time when I had a job! Very quickly, my priorities started to change--and I'm a little embarrassed to say that exercise became a low priority. How could a fitness professional of 21 years slack off on her exercise? It was simple, my lifestyle changed. I had a to-do list a mile long, a family to take care of, a house clean--I just had no time, or so I thought. Then I quickly started to notice an increase in my stress level (and in the size of my thighs) and I became less productive. That's when I made a decision, my workouts were more important than my work. I decided to commit to 5 exercise sessions a week and I was going to devote the best hour of my day to my workout. Not only did I immediately feel better physically, but I felt better emotionally. And feeling strong emotionally and physically are key emotions to building a strong, profitable business.

So, from a woman who understands the pressures of running a business, here are a few tips to a successful exercise program:

1) Dedicate the best hour of your day to your workouts. It will pay off by giving you more energy, focused and clear thinking, and reduced stress.

2) Schedule your workouts just like a business meeting--put it on your calendar.

3) Create achievable goals. Set yourself up to win. If 3 days a week is all you can do, great! Do what you can and do it well.

4) Add variety to you workouts. If you like walking, great. But you need two or three different activities so you don't burn out or overuse the same muscles.

5) Invest in a good hands-free headset for your cell phone. So on a busy day, you can at least walk around your neighborhood while you are on the phone with clients or employees.

6) Purchase a view exercise videos and some basic home exercise equipment like hand weights, resistance tubing, stability ball, step platform so you always have something you can do.

7) If you have kids, get them involved. Go walking with them, do the exercise videos with them. Use the time to not only get some exercise, but to connect with your children.

Don't forget, consistency is more important than intensity. Make your health a priority and you will reap the benefits over and over.