We all know that consistency is key when it comes to health and fitness. You’re not gonna pop a six-pack after a single workout. And you’re not gonna shed twenty pounds after one day of clean eating.

The reality? Your health is a long-term game.

But even when you know this is true, staying consistent with your fitness routine is really hard. You’re busy. You’re tired. You’re no longer feeling that initial burst of motivation.

And, honestly, between work deadlines, and kids activities, and household commitments...you barely have time to get dressed every day, let alone hit the gym for an hour-long workout, right?

So, what gives? How can you stay on top of your fitness goals and stay sane?

Here are seven ways to make time for daily workouts—no matter how busy you are.

STREAMLINE OTHER ACTIVITIES

With a busy schedule, every minute counts. And an extra task or appointment every single day might mean that you aren’t able to make it to the gym.

So, how can you streamline your day-to-day responsibilities so that you can carve out more time for your health?

Here are a few ideas: Order household goods online (hello, Amazon Prime) instead of spending your entire Saturday running errands. Spend a few hours at the beginning of the week on meal prep so that you can cut down on cooking time for the rest of the week. Schedule all of your appointments, meetings, and errands for the same day to keep your calendar easier to manage.

WORKOUT AT HOME

Working out at the gym is awesome. You’ve got access to high-energy classes, expert personal trainers, and high-end machines.

But if you don’t have the margin to make it to the gym some days, don’t let that keep you from getting your workout in.

Instead, maximize the time you have (whether it’s ten minutes or sixty minutes). Pop in a workout DVD. Go through a yoga flow on your living room floor. Take a bike ride through your neighborhood.

SKIP AN HOUR OF TV

Here’s an obvious one: skip your Netflix binge sessions and work out instead. Before you roll your eyes and scroll down, give yourself a second to think about it.

Giving up an hour (or even thirty minutes) of screen time even once a week means that you can squeeze an extra workout into your busy schedule. And, studies show that exercising is actually a better way to release stress and clear your mind. So, trade your late night show for a sweat session and start seeing results faster!

SCHEDULE YOUR WORKOUT

Sometimes, we just use busyness as an excuse. Instead of prioritizing our health, we just point to our jam-packed calendar and tell ourselves there’s no time for exercise.

Hint: you’re never gonna find time—you have to make time.

If you’re simply struggling to stay committed (and you keep falling back on tired excuses), try signing up for a group class with a partner or a friend. Scheduling this workout session in advance, knowing you need to be at the gym at a certain time, and having an accountability partner to keep you on track will make you three times as likely to show up. Boom.

STAY ACTIVE FOR FUN

Don’t have time to get to the gym every single day? No problem! Build movement into your life in other ways, so that you’re staying healthy and active no matter what.

Here are a few ideas: bring your dog to a dog park, go on a family bike ride, set up a “walking date” with a friend, or join a co-ed soccer or volleyball league.

USE YOUR LUNCH BREAK

For those of you with desk jobs, you might find it especially hard to get enough exercise every single day. But with a little creativity, you can bring more movement into your lifestyle.

Bike to work—or just park at the back of the parking lot to get those extra steps in. Take the stairs. Schedule mini stretching breaks every couple hours. Go for a walk with a coworker during your lunch break. Keep looking for small ways to stay active.

DELEGATE AN EXTRA TASK

Still struggling to find time to workout? Here’s something to consider: maybe there’s just too much on your plate.

Your health is an important priority, and you deserve to have the time to take care of your body and maintain your fitness.

If endless responsibilities are keeping you from consistent exercise, maybe you can hand off a task or two to someone in your life. Ask your partner to cook dinner twice a week. Hire a babysitter (or a family member!) to watch the kiddos on a weeknight. Stop saying “yes” to every single invitation or request. Choose to make time for yourself.

Try out one or two of these ideas...and you might find yourself at the gym an extra time or two every week. Do you know what that means? Results.