Note: please consult with your health care professional before starting a new exercise program.

Everyone agrees that they should exercise regularly, but who has time? Between taking care of the kids, a career, your spouse and unloading the dishwasher, just how do you squeeze in a workout?

Whether you’re a stay-at-home-mom or a career woman, here are five scheduling strategies that might help:

1. Get up earlier. Okay, this may be tough, but the bottom line is that sometimes the only way to make time to exercise is to start earlier. Offset this by making an effort to get to sleep earlier. Even 20 or 30 minutes will be a good start.

2. Consider commuting. Although it’s not a realistic option for everyone, cycling or running to work, or to do errands, can be one of the most effective ways to consistently exercise during the workweek with small to moderate time sacrifices.

3. Do a lunchtime workout. If you have a nine-to-five office job, squeeze in a lunchtime workout at a nearby health club, running trail or fitness facility at your place of employment. Make sure you eat a nutritious snack at your desk while you work.

4. Squeeze in some pre-dinner exercise. Fitting in a workout before dinner requires self-discipline, but it can be a great evening re-energizer. If you’re in charge of dinner, rally the troops to help out and begin to prepare the meal while you shower.

5. Focus on weekends. If, no matter what you do, weekday exercise just isn’t happening, focus on longer workouts on weekends where you’ll have more flexibility. Block off a bigger chunk of time to offset your lack of exercise during the week.

Besides having a scheduling strategy, try these five time-saving exercise tips to help you get the most out of your day:

1. Organize your gear. No matter when you work out, organize your apparel and gear so you’re ready to go in minutes. This is especially helpful for early-morning workouts.

2. Combine trips. Whether commuting back from work or an errand, bring your workout gear with you and stop at the health club or running trail along the way.

3. Recruit some help. Ask your spouse (nicely) to run that errand or pick up the kids from school so that you can work out. Explain that you’ll be happier and healthier, which benefits both of you.

4. Exercise at home. Reduce travel from the health club by investing in some gym equipment, such as a treadmill or elliptical machine. More affordable alternatives are a yoga DVD, Pilates gear or an inflatable exercise ball.

5. Do group workouts. While it may not save you time, participating in group workouts, such as running, cycling, walking or yoga, provides a fixed appointment. In one respect it does save you time—you don’t have to spend time worrying about when to work out.

Whether finding the perfect opportunity in your busy day to exercise, trying some of these time-saving tips or both, you’ll be squeezing in your workouts in… well, no time.

John Mora has written over 400 health & fitness articles in national publications such as Runner’s World, Men’s Health and Bicycling.