The Exercise-Challenged: Mary Frances Fogg, 46
Director of government relations for Philadelphia’s Redevelopment Authority | Philadelphia | married; two children, ages 14 and 20

The Expert: Robert Kram, personal-training manager at the Reebok Sports Club in New York City

Fall 2005: “Over the past five years, I’ve noticed my body changing. I haven’t gained weight, but it’s getting hard to button my pants. I walk a lot and have good eating habits, but I think most of my problem is that I work at a computer all day. I also have a full-time job and two kids, so it’s hard to find the time to exercise. I’ve always been active, but I have never been involved in a formal exercise program. I know that I need to start one soon.”

Fogg’s Goal: “I’m very motivated to get in shape. I want to feel like I did five years ago, meaning more toned, with a flatter stomach.”

What the journal revealed: Fogg is active during the day. She walks for a total of 30 minutes to and from her car and for at least another 10 to 15 minutes on work-related errands. Her evenings and early mornings are often spent running errands for her kids and doing household chores. Weekends are equally busy. Her daily steps add up to an average of 13,134 (the U.S. surgeon general recommends 30 minutes of exercise, or approximately 10,000 steps, daily). “I’m so glad I did this,” Fogg said after keeping the journal. “It was like a bolt of lightning. I spend way too much time doing things for my kids that they could be doing for themselves. But I was pleased to see how active I manage to stay throughout the day.”