Question:I saw an article you wrote on exercise for mothers. With two little ones, day care, work, etc., it is very hard to fit in exercise and I don't think your recommendation of three days of cardio and two days of strength training will actually help those of us with such a busy life. Maybe you and I can come up with a more realistic exercise routine for those of us with kids and a busy schedule?

        Answer: Rather than a normal response that just fuels debate, I will give you a scenario that will hopefully help.

        A girl of 15 has a child with her boyfriend, drops out of school, gets married at 16, gets divorced by 18 and becomes a single mother.

        She is then written off by teachers, family members and others as a failure and a disappointment. This girl gets a job at a fast-food restaurant, rents her own apartment, supports her child, pays for day care, plays in a softball league, works out at home and takes classes to graduate from high school.

        She later marries a man (to whom she has been married to for 18 years), has two children and continues to work, play softball, earns a brown belt in karate and enrolls in a community college.

        After earning an associate's degree, she obtains her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work, all the while taking care of three kids, cooking the meals, doing internships, taking care of the house, karate and yes, still playing softball.

        Rather than looking at her life situation as a series of obstacles she viewed it as an opportunity for growth and never let anything or anyone prevent her from chasing her dreams, getting in a good workout or educating herself.

        It is exhausting just to read a snapshot of this person's life, so you can only imagine what it was like in its fullness. This girl/woman is my oldest sister and she has worked out ever since I can remember, no matter what her financial/educational situation, time contraints or schedule.

        To top it off, she took care of me, her baby brother, while my mom worked. When it was time to work out, she would take us all outside, put on loud music and lift weights. She did aerobics while we kids ate popsicles and watched with curious eyes as this wild woman jumped around the yard. She didn't care what anybody thought, she did her thing.

        Why all this info? Because what I hear you saying is that you want me to work with you to devise a universal plan for all mothers to get in shape, which is impossible.

        People are different and situations are different, but what remains the same is the fact that no matter what your situation is, you can make time to take care of your body.

        The reason for giving a framework rather than an exact routine is that people like yourself (unable to always stick to a certain schedule) must strive to achieve a certain amount of exercise and get it in whenever and however possible. My sister set goals to do a certain amount of exercise per week and whenever she had the chance she did it. Period.

        Her situation is true. She used and still uses realistic methods of getting her exercise. You are no different. Choose activities that suit you and your situation. Be creative and have fun.

        Contact certified personal trainer Dave Patania by e-mail: davpatania@aol.com.

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