Getting into shape is high on the list of “things to do someday” for most people, and with good reason. The overall health benefits of exercise are wide-ranging and impressive. However, what normally happens is that other things eat away at our time. We may even start a new exercise program with a new resolve, but then we let it slide here and there, and then before we know it, we have found other things to do with our time.

Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. What we really need is a way to fit exercise into our schedules, no matter how busy they are. Here are some ways you can do just that.

1. Wherever you go – You can exercise wherever you are. If there is a chair available, for example, you can use it to do elevated push-ups or dips. You can even grab a full can of soup, one for each hand, to add a little weight to virtually any workout. A rolled up towel is an excellent aid to stretching exercises. One very handy piece of equipment is a small device that can be located under your desk. It operates like a small portable bicycle, and can be operated under your desk if you need to.  It provides a great workout from your hips down through your legs while in the comfort of your own chair.  Called a mini cycle, these devices are gaining in popularity. But the best piece of exercise equipment is with you wherever you go, and that’s you. You can exercise virtually anywhere, as long as you are there.

2. It’s the little things – While fad diets would lead you to think otherwise, you cannot go from flab to fit in a few days. But the good news is that you can start to see big results from small changes. Everything you do will either go for or against getting in shape. Make more of the “for” choices and they will add up. Simple things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, choosing a parking spot that is farther away than usual, or walking to complete nearby errands will have a cumulative effect.

3. Talk to your employer – You may be surprised to find that your employer already has an exercise area, or perhaps free passes to a nearby gym. If not, suggest adding an exercise room. Some companies have a health or wellness director; use them as a go-between. If you feel emboldened enough, you could also suggest a brief part of each day when the entire company takes a 5 minute exercise break.

4. Get moving – The whole idea here is to keep your body moving. Do leg lifts before you get out of bed, get a telephone headset so you can walk around the room while talking, practice isometrics if you’re stuck in traffic. Anything you can do to add some movement into your routine will help. Any time throughout the day that you notice you’re sitting still, get moving.

Finding a way to fit exercise into your busy schedule is not that difficult once you make a commitment to it. The above tips are just a start, to show you some of the possibilities. Everyone is different, so you are sure to find some of your own ways to incorporate getting fit into your lifestyle.