To Your Health

There are a million excuses for not exercising.

Frankly, though, "I don't have time" just doesn't cut it anymore. You don't need to spend hours at the gym to get fit; you just need to have willpower--and maybe a decent pair of athletic shoes. You're right--you don't have time. You have to make time, even when you're caught up in the excitement of growing your business.

That's something Kirk Perron, CEO of San Francisco-based Jamba Juice, has had to learn through the years--even though wellness is what his company is all about.

"I was out of balance for a long time," says Perron, 35, who recently completed the 600-mile California AIDS bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. "When your business is growing at such an incredible pace, you don't have time for yourself. It wasn't until I'd made substantial progress in building the management team at Jamba that I was able to take more time in terms of exercising."

It's amazing what exercise can do for you, both physically and mentally. It strengthens the heart, increases metabolic rate, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, enhances immunity, improves self-esteem and mental attitude, and reduces stress. And with just 30 minutes a day--or 200 minutes a week--you can get there.

Remember, though, start slowly; steal a few minutes here and there to do some desktop push-ups, run up a light of stairs or take a short walk around the building. "Take baby steps," says Edstrom. "For your mind's sake as much as your body's you've got to start small. Instead of beginning with an hour-long aerobics class, start off with a walk to the mailbox or a noontime walk with a friend or colleague."

As with nutrition, there is no one program for everyone; once you start a fitness program, you'll learn what works for you. Many fitness trainers offer step-by-step personal fitness programs that can be tailored to your individual needs; such a program could be a good starting point.

The best approach is to trick yourself into getting fit. Find exercise that's fun for you, whether it's running, tae bo, biking, basketball or swimming. Perron's favorite exercises include spinning, biking and lifting weights.

Basically, you have to make your exercise program fun, or you'll quit before you even get your heart rate up. And if anyone can keep things interesting, it's you--an entrepreneur. In fact, your entrepreneurial status just might lead you to the perfect exercise. "Entrepreneurs are the ones to seek out the alternatives first," notes Reichler. "They're the risk-takers--that's their very nature."

This article was originally published in the October 1999 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: To Your Health.