DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister has started exercising like crazy. She used to be seriously overweight. While it is taking a while to come off, I can tell that it is working. But get this -- she exercises something like two hours per day. I don't have time for that. I work 10-hour days and then have to come home and cook dinner and take care of my family. She has a family, too, but I don't know if she has to do all of that. I run out of time. How can I possibly take her lead to fitness when I don't have time to do it? -- Too Busy for Me, Washington, D.C.
DEAR TOO BUSY FOR ME: Take a good, long look at your sister and ask her questions about how she is organizing her schedule. Chances are she has looked at her whole day and whole week and literally scheduled in her exercise routine, along with her work, cooking meals and caring for her family. You can do the same. Start with 30 minutes of self-care. Over time, build up to what you can manage. The point is to put yourself first. When you do that, amazingly you make room for all of the other important things in your life.
(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)