It is difficult it is to juggle family life, schedules, work, clients, house/yard, exercise, and having a healthy meal on the table every night.  Here are how some members of Riley Bennett Egloff master healthy lifestyles: 

This empty-nester attorney, doesn’t belong to a gym, but stays in shape by playing sports and moving throughout the day:  

1. He plays in basketball leagues two mornings a week before work, outdoors on Sunday nights from spring to fall, in a softball league one night a week, and golfs nine holes at least once a week, and in the winter, he rides a stationary bike trainer at home.
2.  At work, he uses a stand-up desk, takes frequent walks around the office, and uses the stairs.
3.  He does not keep anything in his desk drawer because has no willpower to let it sit there.
4. He splits meals with his wife at restaurants to save calories.
5. He walks with his wife and their dog after dinner every night.
6. He credits the firm’s wellness coach for educating and inspiring him with the “New Year, New You” challenge, drinking more water, and scheduling an annual physical examination each January to keep “holiday eating and drinking” in check. 

A 63 year-old attorney who is just as fit now as he was in high school stays in shape because:

1. He uses the stairs as often as possible.
2. He runs or uses the Pacers Bike Share to attend meetings downtown.
3. He works out three nights a week at home.  
4. He keeps a jar of nuts in his desk to keep his energy going strong when he has to work late.   

Some advice from a young lawyer:

1.  Find something you love to do.  Not everyone likes to run and swim. 
2. The hardest part about getting into an exercise routine is getting started. Team up with a friend because it’s always harder to cancel on friends; sign up and pay in advance for classes so you won’t skip.
3. Exercise first thing in the morning –you have less time to develop excuses or conflicts; set out exercise clothes the night before.
4. Develop the mantra “no excuses.”  Saying, “I’ll start tomorrow” never works.  Get out of bed when that alarm goes off and get moving. You will not regret a workout, although you will regret snoozing one too many times.  Getting into the habit of rising a little earlier can be difficult, but it will be worth the effort when your energy levels rise and your stress levels drop.
5. Go to the gym Monday morning to get the week off to a good, healthy start. You’re more likely to get up Tuesday if you did so on Monday, because “Mondays are the worst.”
6. Exercising regularly causes her to eat more healthfully and decreases her stress.

This colleague says the key to a healthy life is to commit to make it happen, no matter what:

1.  Build healthy living into your life and change it with each new stage (marriage, children, getting older).  He used to play a lot of basketball in his younger days but now meets with a trainer a few times a week after work and walks a lot.
2. Have some ‘skin’ in the game:  pay for a trainer, gym or class and tell other people you’re doing it to be accountable.
3. Drink water and have fruit on-hand at work every day.
4. Take a daily walk outside at the “witching hour” when the “slump” attacks (2:00-4:00 p.m.).

From other professionals who strive to stay healthy:

This executive travels 40% of the week and has a young family, but manages to stay healthy by:

1. Ensuring she gets 7 hours of “quality” sleep a night, with the emphasis on “quality.”  She envisions all of her worries staying “outside” of her house so she doesn’t think about them all night while she’s trying to sleep.  She picks them up on the way out the door in the morning.  They are always waiting there for her to tackle with a well-rested mind.
2. She does some form of exercise every morning when she gets up at 5:00 a.m., whether at home, the hotel or the gym where she belongs (she joined the YMCA and their “travel program” allows a Y member to use any YMCA in the country, usually at no cost). 
3. She brings a granola bar, piece of fruit and water bottle with her when she travels, whether by plane or car.  If she has healthy food and drink on hand, she won’t be tempted to eat the plethora of junk that abounds.
4. On the weekends, she runs while her kids ride their bikes or scooters next to her (in all weather) and she walks around the fields and does “bleacher push-ups, dips and squats” while watching her kids play or practice various sports.

After years of fighting traffic and disgruntled motorists while driving to work downtown, this lawyer decided to take advantage of the Monon Trail that is only 7 blocks from his home (and a reason he purchased the home). 

1. He rides a bike every day that he doesn’t have to wear a business suit and weather permits, and showers in the building where he works.
2. He exercises in the gym near his home.
3. He and his wife ride bikes together every weekend.
4. He knows that if he doesn’t ride his bike to work or exercise in the morning at the gym, it won’t happen because he will not be motivated and too many other things rob him of his time after work.  The mornings are his!

Years ago, a man who had a very high-stress job was told by his doctor that he must lose weight or he would die very soon.  He lost 50 pounds in 3 years and kept it off by:

1. He began counting calories and the nutritional value of food on an app, tracking every bite he put into his mouth.
2. After 3 years, he decided to bike commute to work, which he has done every day for the past 7 years, no matter the condition.  He is like a mail carrier, through wind, rain, snow, sleet and ice!  The weather doesn’t bother him, it’s a habit to ride to work, and he doesn’t think twice about not doing it.  In fact, he sold his car and bikes or walks everywhere.
3. The bike ride into work allows him to start work with an open mind.  The ride home gives him the chance to decompress and have a better perspective on the important things in life.  He enjoys not having to deal with traffic jams and angry motorists.

Two years ago, an executive who works downtown and serves on many boards decided to sell her car and begin biking everywhere from her Broad Ripple home.  The following are the results she has experienced and how she makes it happen:

1. She used to greatly suffer from cold, dark winter days, but since being on a bike at least an hour per day, she is much less affected.
2. She saves a minimum of $5,000 a year by not having the insurance, maintenance and gas expense of a car.
3. She feels good about having reduced her carbon footprint.
4. She is much healthier, has improved cardio endurance, stronger muscles, a decreased stress level, and an improved mental focus. 
5. She rides a 20 year-old cross bike with panniers (side bags) for extra clothing, lunch, etc.
6. She rides in all weather, incorporating the slogan: ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.’

Remember, those who think they can and those who think they can’t are usually both right.  Which person are you?