We all know how vital exercise is if you have diabetes, but it's often hard to fit it into our hectic lives each day. You can obviously work with your doctor to develop a plan that incorporates the kind of exercise that most suits you depending on how well your diabetes is controlled and any complications or other conditions you may have, but it always helps to hear how others like you have done it.

Have you successfully worked exercise into your life? Tell us your story!

Do you have any advice to share about how to gradually work exercise into a person's daily routine?

I usually just get up a little earllier and stumble downstars and get on the stair stepper. This usually means I start out half awake but after the first 10 minutes I'm usually wide awake and starting to work up a sweat.

That's great! I have a hard enough time just dragging myself out of bed in the morning. How long did it take you to establish that routine?

I started with the "stumble out of bed" workout after we had our first child. It was really the only time that I could carve out of the day to workout.

I think most people find that exercising first thing in the morning works best, because there aren't as many distractions to get in the way (except of course that annoying alarm clock!). I've been a first-thing-in-the-morning exerciser for year, but in the past few months I've hooked up with a group of women who walk at lunch, and it's been a great addition to my day. I have more energy for the afternoon when I'm able to get some exercise at lunch time, and walking with a group makes the time fly.

I work out in the evening, I have to be at work very early in the morning, so I do not have time to exercise then. I pay for the gym that I go to, so I know that I will go to the classes.

Do you go before or after work?