Millions of working moms are up every day before sunrise, packing lunches, settling sibling squabbles, and reviewing homework assignments - all while trying to get themselves ready for work. They shuttle the kids off to school, and head off to a full day of meetings and paperwork. In the evenings, they pick up the kids from the after-school program, babysitter or daycare center, then maybe dash off to the soccer field to catch their son’s game, or take their daughter to ballet lessons. By day’s end, a working mom’s energy is zapped. Exercising is a great way to combat this fatigue. Yet many working moms seem to disregard it, saying they just don’t have the time. “Exercising can give working moms more energy if they only knew how to make it a part of their daily lives,” says Vonetta Flowers, Olympic Bobsled gold medalist, wife and mother of twins. A member of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation “Adopt an Athlete” program, she says, “If I can do it, anyone can. It’s a balancing act at times, but I feel that I’ve managed to lead a healthy and happy life.” Flowers became the first American athlete of African descent (from any country) to win a Winter Olympics gold medal after she won in the Bobsled competition at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. She took off the first half of the 2002-2003 season after giving birth to twin boys (Jaden Michael and Jorden Maddox). She returned to the ice to compete in the Bobsled World Championships in Winterberg, Germany, in January 2003. Flowers not only competed throughout the 2003 and 2004 season as a member of the USA Bobsled Team, but also traveled with Johnny, her husband/personal trainer, and her two boys all over the globe. So whether it’s going for a long walk, a quick run or jog, or hitting the gym for an hour, it is possible that working moms like Flowers can find the extra time to fit exercise into their lives. Consider these tips: Exercise early in the day, before the kids get up, while the day is still yours. Run on your treadmill, go for a jog in the neighborhood or lift handweights. Take a brisk walk at lunch. It’s a good time to not only exercise but clear your head and get out of the office. Park a short distance away and walk. Take the stairs whenever possible. Walk more each day. Figure out what works best for you - home exercise equipment or the gym. Then, stick with it. Consider a personal trainer who comes to the house. If money is tight, have the trainer design a program for you to follow after just one or two visits. There’s no doubt that working moms who take the time to care for themselves improve their overall health and well-being, as well as their ability to take care of their families. Now that’s a win-win situation for everyone.