I love reading fitness articles, I really do. I love reading the slightly different opinions among authors, and the shared experiences of those who have been doing this stuff long enough to be able to tell it to the rest of us.

I have to admit, though, that sometimes in the middle of these articles I think, "Who in the heck has time to do all this training and calorie-counting?"

Am I the only one who feels this way? I mean, sure this is a fitness magazine, so of course we're all supposed to be thinking about training and diet, followed by some more training and diet. But sometimes I think that the casual reader might come away thinking that all the writers ever do is measure food, lift weights, take supplements and look fabulous, while getting paid to write articles about it!

I tell, you, I wish it were so, but the truth is, most of us don't have that kind of lifestyle. Most of us do have careers that we have to juggle along with all the other pressures that professional women face.

That's what this article is about. No, it's not your standard "how to manage your time wisely so you can squeeze in a workout" kind of thing. That's been done.

Rather, this article is for you, the professional woman who brings home the bacon (and kudos to you if you do!). The chick who wears the business suit andwants to look like she spends all her time in the gym.

Five Things You Need to Realize

Realization # 1: Very Few People Get Paid to Work Out

The athletes you see and read about, they're real people just like you and me. The only difference is that they've found a balance that works for them. Most people have a family, kids, a mate, a job, a house to clean, and errands to run.

I'm not trying to be patronizing here; just letting you know that if they can do it, so can you!

I encourage you to research and find a role model, someone who makes you go "Wow, I want to look like that!" and hang a picture of her up for constant encouragement.

Oftentimes, there'll be a personal story about the Figure Athlete, where she'll talk about her personal life and the struggles she's had to overcome in order to be successful. You may find yourself right at home in what they say... and that's very motivational and encouraging!

Realization # 2: Our Bodies Don't Require as Much Work as You Think

Shocking, isn't it? All the sets, reps and training routines that are published might discourage and overwhelm you at times, but look at the big picture when it comes to results.

If I told you I worked out an hour every day, you'd think that was "great." But really, that's only seven hours a week!

Do you know how many hours there are in a week? Twenty-four times seven is one hundred sixty-eight. 168 hours minus seven hours in the gym leaves you with 161 hours outside the gym.

That's a lot of freakin' hours outside the gym! Even if my workout schedule is "great," what I'm doing the remaining 99% of the week must really affect the way I look!

So remember, results come over time, not overnight, and most of that those 161 hours is made up of work, kids, sleep, nutrition, stress, and waiting for results.

Realization # 3: We Only Spend About 30 Minutes a Week Actually Training

The third thing you need to realize is the actual amount of work (stress) your muscles are getting during your workouts. I'll probably put myself out of a job for sharing this, but I'll take my chances.

The average fitness woman trains with weights three times a week. Reps and sets may vary, but for the sake of argument let's say you do around twenty sets per workout. Each set lasts about 30 seconds. 20 sets x 30 seconds is 600 seconds. That's ten minutes.

Ten freakin' minutes your muscles are actually working in an average lifting session. Ten minutes times three times a week is thirty minutes.

You see? It doesn't take as much "work" as you think. Surely you can exert yourself for half an hour a week.

I brought that to your attention, not to lose my job, but to prove to you that it's not the end of your great physique if something comes up with your kids or work and you miss a workout here and there. Generally speaking, that's only an hour off your program!

Realization # 4: You Have to Plan for Chaos

If you work 9 to 5 in the city, and you often leave work late, sit in traffic, have occasional late board meetings, have to stay late to finish a report, then chances are that this week won't be much different!

This is when I start to get mad because you have to look at the hand you were dealt. We all have issues and obstacles. If we can see our obstacles clearly (meaning, those things that keep us from obtaining the body we want), we have two choices: either swerve and miss them, or take no action and smack into

If you want results, you'd better swerve. Expect the obstacles, and plan around them. Plan your meals, pack your gym bag the night before, food shop and cook up extra food on the weekends, etc.

Realization # 5: You Already Have the Power to Make This Happen

Everyone's heard the saying, "If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person". Well, if you're a professional woman, that's you! This is just another thing you can accomplish: your own health and body of your dreams. You can do this!

I'm always impressed when I'm at work at night and see you professional gals coming in the gym after work, or leaving after a workout all dressed up in the morning to go to work. You girls are powerful looking to me, almost intimidating. You have a real job and you still work out!

Think about it: You've already proven that you're independent, self sufficient, and responsible. These are all very important qualities for a Figure Athlete.

The Four Secrets

Secret #1: Train in the Morning

You think "No way!" Trust me, try it. Your body will adapt and you'll learn to love it.

No, really. You'll learn to love early morning workouts eventually.

Here are three reasons why working out in the morning is good for you:

• You get it over with.

• You'll have more energy for your day

• You'll enjoy your day more knowing you can just go home after work.

Do you ever find yourself going "Ugh, I have to work out after work!" Hitting traffic, getting home late, having a tough day at work, or having errands to do on the way home; these are all easy excuses to skip the gym.

But if you get up an hour earlier and go train, you'll find yourself going through your day thinking, "I already worked out this morning! Hooray for me!"

Trust me, unless you're at work ridiculously early, give it a try. I know you'll miss your gym friends at night, but hey, if you have a good day at work and get out on time, you can always hit the gym again.

Secret #2: Throw Away the Food Journal

Yeah, yeah, we all know the good reasons for keeping a detailed journal of every morsel of food we put in our mouths. But let's face it: It can be a pain in the butt!

Who has the time? Instead, make a food log ahead of time.

How do you do that? It's easy. Put together a few breakfast ideas you like and that fit your schedule. Do the same for lunch and dinner. Finally, jot down a few snack ideas.

Everyday life now runs smoothly as clockwork: All you do is pick a meal that you already know fits your goal.

Here are some of my favorites, but feel free to make up your own.

Breakfast:

• 1/2 cup oatmeal, one scoop banana Metabolic Drive, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

• 1/2 cup oatmeal, one tablespoon natural peanut butter, one scoop chocolate or vanilla Metabolic Drive

• Shake: two scoops chocolate Metabolic Drive, one tablespoon instant coffee, 1/4 cup oats, 1/2 banana

• 1/2 cup oat bran, 1/2 cup mixed berries, one scoop protein

• Four hard boiled eggs, one egg yolk, two slices Canadian bacon, one slice whole grain bread

Lunch and Dinner:

• Three or four ounces chicken, large salad with raw vegetables, light dressing (or oil and vinegar), 1/4 cup almonds

• Three or four ounces salmon, one cup broccoli, 1/2 cup carrots

• Three or four ounces lean pork or chicken, one cup asparagus, 1/2 cup green beans

• One can of tuna, low carb wrap, mustard or light mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, 1/2 ounce walnuts

• Three or four ounces lean protein, one apple, one cup baby carrots or 1/2 ounce walnuts

Snack:

• One cup baby carrots, light yogurt, 1/4 cup almonds

• Four hard boiled eggs, one yolk, apple or 1/2 walnuts

• Low carb tortilla wrap, one tablespoon natural peanut or almond butter

• Protein shake: one scoop chocolate Metabolic Drive, one tablespoon peanut or almond butter

The food log is vital for success. Trust me on this. Take the next five minutes to write one up. Have a few snack options, and change up the protein source and the vegetables here and there.

Following a food log eliminates the need to agonize over daily meal plans, and also eliminates guesswork, grabbing food on the go, and eating carelessly. And best of all, it allows you to chuck that food journal!

Secret #3: Change Your Lunchtime Routine

What do you do during your lunch break? If time allows, get up and move! If you usually go out for lunch, start brown bagging it and you will save some time, money and calories!

Secret #4: Drink Lots of Water

Drinking water has a lot of benefits, but here's one you never hear: It makes you get up and walk around every half hour to pee! I learned this trick in high school, and used it all the time to get out of class. Ha!

There you have it. I know you're busy, so I'll let you get back to work.

I know that trying to stick to a fitness regimen on top of your already busy schedule can be frustrating sometimes. I hope this article will help you achieve the body of your dreams while maintaining your successful career.