• BEFORE: Back SeatJen's car was a mobile locker packed with clothing changes and fitness gear. A fast stop was all it took to send everything tumbling.

• BEFORE: TrunkAn impressively stocked gym-on-go was located in the trunk. Finding desired items often required a serious dig.

• BEFORE: Well-HeeledWow! Thirteen paris of shoes and boots had been living in Jen's car, along with a few singles. Just two pairs (gym shoes and rain boots) went back in after cleaning.

• MID-SORT: OrganizingPlacing things in sorting bins makes clear-outs quicker and far less daunting.

• MID-SORT: BinsYes, all of this was in Jen's car.

• MID-SORT: Discovery!Jen finds a razor that was hidden on the bottom of her car. Good for emergency leg shaving.

• MID-SORT: Shuffle and SortWe moved everything from Jen's car into bins, then sorted the items on folding tables. Working on a raised, even surface (rather than the ground) made everything easier to see and handle, saving our backs and speeding up the whole process.

• MID-SORT: Loose ItemsWe used small metal bins to keep personal-care items and other glove-box necessities neatly separated.

• AFTER: CD CollectionJen was psyched to rediscover an entire Fleetwood Mac CD collection in her back seat. The discs found a home in her console.

• AFTER: Glove CompartmentIt's easier to pull out a bin and sort through it in your lap than to lean over and dig through the glove box.

• AFTER: Front SeatA clean and clutter-free front seat welcomes Jen and a passenger for the next road trip.

• AFTER: Back SeatWe hung a net bag for clothes on the back of the driver's seat and a trash receptacle on the back of the passenger seat, and we placed a basket on the floor for shoes and small gear, making it easier to take these items in and out of the house.

• AFTER: TrunkWe organized loose goods into soft-sided bags and plastic bins, which are quick to remove when Jen needs to make space for her luggage or other large items. Jen chose red for the emergency kit (de-icer, maps, blanket, lighter); green for sports-related gear (shoes, socks, straps, etc.); and yellow for miscellaneous items (canvas grocery sacks, doggie-cleanup bags, etc.).

Let’s face it: Some high-energy, enthusiastic people come across as “passionate” regardless of what they are doing or the situation they are in. (I probably fall into that category.) But I’m inclined to believe that each of us, regardless of our outward expression, has an abiding sense of passion inside of us, whether we’ve identified it or not.

If you already know your passion, you know what an indomitable source of motivation, inspiration and focus it can be. Connecting with that “fire in the belly” feeling can help you accomplish virtually anything you set out to do.

But what if you are one of the many who hasn’t quite figured out what your passion is? One of the best ways I know to get a handle on that is something called “the billionaire exercise.”

Stay with me here, because it’s not really about the money; it’s about setting aside questions of money for the moment so that you can access a more innate sense of what makes you tick.

Imagine that you have suddenly come into something like $50 billion — enough money that if you invested it in a stable account making 3 percent interest, you could hand out $100 bills to people all day long and still have even more money the next day. Imagine you have so much money, it’s like air to you, and you have total freedom in how you spend it.

Needs and desires? Indulge them. Travel the world, collect rare motor­bikes, build a castle, acquire designer shoes, start a baseball team, quit your job, take a few years off to do nothing at all. Whatever you’ve ever wanted to own, do, experience — if money can make it happen, consider it done.

Spend some time working through your list and enjoying the whole imaginary extravaganza. Now, once you’ve done everything you want to do, once all your material desires have been sated and the financial security of all your loved ones has been assured, ask yourself this: What is it that gets you so fired up that you jump out of bed every morning excited to take on the day?

What is it you want to do, not so that you can experience yet another of your fantasies from the long list above (because, remember, you’ve done them all, and you already have everything you want), but so that you can experience the deepest possible sense of purpose and satisfaction.

If you’re still coming up with things you want for yourself, you need to go back and spend some more time with the first part of the exercise. When you start coming up with things you want to give or offer others, you’re on the right track.

What would you want to create, support, protect or change for the benefit of the world around you? Where would you feel driven to invest not just your money, but your time, focus and personal energy?

For me, the same answers always come up, and they are always around very similar themes of protecting what I care most about — people’s health and well-being, natural environments, wildlife habitats, the future of our planet.

For artists, the answer is often about creating something meaningful or beautiful. For healers, it’s often about regenerating and sustaining well-being. For entrepreneurs and inventors, it’s often about bringing something new and useful into reality. For justice-seekers, it’s often about redressing wrongs, defending the defenseless and making the world a better place.

For you, it may be something entirely different. And it may change over time. What’s important is that you ask yourself the billionaire question often enough, and honestly enough, that you stay aligned with your own answer, and continually steer your life in the direction of your dreams.

Right now, part of those dreams may be occupied by material desires, and that’s fine. Just know that underneath those desires, there’s both a source and an outlet for the kind of happiness that comes only from giving, and from finding out how you give best.

It goes without saying, I think, that none of us should wait for billions (or even pennies) to materialize before we begin looking for ways to express the passions that define us. Find some ways to begin now. The more you can align your present-day ambitions and energies with that “someday” desire, the healthier and happier you will be.

Researchers studied more than 300 nonsmoking sixth and seventh graders and found that those with the most smokers in their lives saw more advantages to smoking than their peers. Those who were frequently exposed to secondhand smoke were also more likely to agree to statements about feeling strong, seemingly uncontrollable cravings.

These results suggest that there are both physical and psychological roots to these early cravings, says lead author Simon Racicot, a PhD candidate at Concordia University in Montreal. “[Kids] surrounded by a lot of smokers who talk about their cravings may feel that the same phenomenon happens to them,” he says. “It’s also possible that nicotine intake through secondhand smoke exposure may prime addiction pathways in the brain.”

Even though smoking overall may be on the decline, experts estimate that 60 percent of children in North America have at least some exposure to secondhand smoke. For Racicot, the takeaway from the study is clear: There is no safe exposure to smoking or secondhand smoke. “A parent may smoke outside on the patio, but kids are still getting that social exposure,” he says. “And parents who smoke in a car but don’t smoke once their kids are inside are still exposing their kids to a very high concentration of secondhand smoke. This is just one more argument in favor of reducing kids’ exposure to it.”

When it comes to careers, relationships and hobbies, most of us understand that if we’re going to stick with something and get good at it, we need to have some passion for it. Yet few people apply this concept to their fitness pursuits: Instead, they slog through routines that bore or frustrate them when they could be enjoying fun, active pastimes that engage their bodies and minds, and stoke their spirits.

“I think most people define exercise far too narrowly,” says fitness instructor Tim Haft, MA, CPT, whose specialty is helping people find their fitness passions. “People assume that enjoyment is irrelevant, and that exercise is like medicine — you just have to grin and bear it,” the former New York University career counselor explains. As a

result, he notes, people rule out fun activities that in fact are probably ideal exercise for them.

For the Fun of It

“Maybe in the past you loved gardening, playing outdoors or riding your bike,” says Michelle Cleere, PhD, an exercise and sports psychologist who helps clients overcome anxiety, burnout and other obstacles to reach their fitness goals. All those hobbies, she says, count as exercise if you do them deliberately and at an intensity that gets your heart rate up and your muscles working. “It’s easy to overlook fun activities because you don’t consider them fitness related,” she adds.

“Say you go out for a run, and you find it painful and boring,” says Charlotte Hilton Andersen, author of The Great Fitness Experiment: One Year of Trying Everything (Clerisy Press, 2011). “You’ll assume you hate exercise because you hate running.”

This, she asserts, is the mistake many people make when it comes to fitness: People assume they dislike all exercise because they haven’t found that one thing that really inspires them. And that’s a shame, says Andersen, because “life is too short to hate what you’re doing.”

Of course, if finding the perfect exercise match was easy, everybody would  have done it by now. Typically, it requires both self-reflection and experimentation.

After her second son was born, Andersen began a quest to discover her own active inclinations. After scouring research studies, fitness magazines and blogs, she embarked on her Great Fitness Experiment, trying (and blogging about) a different activity every month.

Since Andersen began five years ago, she estimates she’s tried 60 different exercise routines, including karate, CrossFit, the Tabata Protocol (a high-intensity, interval training program) and circus training.

Eventually, Andersen’s  blogs evolved into two books. She now uses her experience as a fitness guinea pig to help others find fitness activities they can love.

Not everyone has to go to the lengths Andersen did to discover his or her own fitness passions. “In many cases,” she says, “you just need to take a close look at who you are and what inspires you.”

For those interested in a more in-depth approach, Haft recommends an evaluation process not unlike the ones career counselors use to help people get clear about their best job options. These experts use assessments, personality tests and questionnaires to help clients predict what jobs they’ll be most successful in, says Haft. “Why not do the same when it comes to fitness?”

With Haft’s suggestion in mind, we enlisted the help of sports psychologists, physiologists, personal trainers, life coaches and other experts to develop the five guiding questions that follow, as well as a downloadable flowchart. Work through each area of inquiry at your own pace, and you’ll come away with a better understanding of where your own true fitness passions might lie.

1. What were you passionate about as a child?

Were there sports you enjoyed playing when you were little? Did you dance? Climb on monkey bars? Swim? Jump rope? Perform gymnastics? Try to recall what active pastimes gave you the most satisfaction.

You may not be able to replicate the exact activities you did as a child (say, Little League), but you can probably find something similar that brings you pleasure now (slow-pitch softball, tennis, golf, visiting the batting cages).

“When I work with clients who have previously attempted and failed at maintaining an exercise regimen, I first ask them to close their eyes and reflect on how they’ve moved their body in the past and whether they ever found physical activity pleasurable,” says Haft, who is also the founder of Punk Rope, a fitness program that centers around jumping rope.

For many, the joy of physical movement is first discovered at a young age, says Solomon Gold (a.k.a. Dr. G), athletic alchemist for the Bartendaz, a New York–based physical-fitness and self-empowerment team that utilizes urban playgrounds and natural movement to build strength and character, especially among underserved youth. “Movement is humanity’s birthright,” he says. “We understand this intuitive desire more when we observe young children who instinctively use movement to explore their environment as well as themselves. I think people need to rediscover the essence and joy of moving, as opposed to merely ‘exercising.’”

2. What obstacles to fitness have you encountered in the past?

Looking back on your life, consider what stood in the way of you enjoying exercise — from childhood asthma to teenage body-image insecurities. Consider, too, what messages and values you learned about exercise when you were younger.

“Maybe you grew up in a family that didn’t really value being active, or that emphasized sports and activities that weren’t your natural strengths,” offers Cleere. “It can be helpful to be aware of these things and to get some guidance from a coach or personal trainer in working through them.”

It’s important to develop an awareness of early exercise barriers, she adds, “so that you can avoid running into them again.” In other words, if you had a bad experience on the soccer field or doing pushups in grade school, don’t focus your energy there, at least initially. You can find other things to enjoy — without the emotional baggage.

3. Where are you most happy?

Think about places you like to be. “Are you more comfortable outdoors or happier at home in front of the TV?” asks Leslie Seppinni, a doctor of clinical psychology and regular contributor for Nancy Grace as well as many other media outlets.

Nature lovers might find their fitness passion on local hiking or biking trails, or working out in a park with friends. If you are happier alone watching TV or listening to music, you might be happier at a gym on a cardio machine that faces a bank of plasma screens.

If you like to exercise indoors, you also might consider what parts of the room make you most comfortable. Do you like being able to gaze out a window? Or are you more at ease exercising out-of-sight in a corner of the gym?

“It’s counterintuitive, but I’ve found that beginners taking classes should go to the front near the instructor so they can’t compare themselves to the others working out around them. They can then focus on themselves and their instructor,” Seppinni says.

If you’re not aware of the places and times you’re most happy, keep a journal for a week or two and make notes of how you feel in certain situations throughout each day, Seppinni suggests. You’ll start to see a pattern and can model your fitness routine around that.

4. What’s your personality type?

Even if you’ve never taken a personality test like the Myers-Briggs, you probably have a sense of whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, or whether you’re goal- and numbers-driven or more free-spirited. Understanding the basics of how you’re wired will help you find your fitness passion and allow you to succeed, experts say.

“Research suggests that people who engage in personality-appropriate activities will stick with those activities longer, enjoy their workouts more and ultimately have a greater overall fitness experience,” says Susan Davis-Ali, PhD, a researcher who has developed a fitness-interest profile test.

Certain personality types are naturally drawn to certain activities. “Introverts tend to like activities that involve high concentration, precision, low arousal and a focus on individual performance,” says Cleere. Examples of activities suited to introverts include swimming, cycling, walking, archery, weight training and tennis.

“Extroverts, on the other hand, prefer high-arousal levels, team sports, fast-paced activities,” she says. Examples of activities suited to extroverts include soccer, rugby, volleyball, basketball, group fitness classes and circuit training.

“If you’re a rugged individualist, you might prefer changing your routine regularly, taking new classes, trying new workout gear,” says Debbie Mandel, MA, author of Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul (Busy Bee Group, 2003). “If you’re process-oriented or going through a hard time like job loss or divorce, then one of the martial arts is a great way to get through to the other side at your own pace and ability.” (For more on personality types, search for “Your Fitness Personality” at ExperienceLife.com.)

But beware of typecasting yourself too tightly, says Andersen. She’s noticed through her blog interactions with readers that people can be drawn to activities that are counter to their personality because it offers them an escape or outlet for less frequently expressed characteristics.

Andersen, for example, who describes herself as mild mannered, says she was surprised to discover that she really enjoys karate and kickboxing. “It lets out my hidden aggression,” she says.

Mandel adds, “If you are someone who tends to feel shy or a little lost in the crowd, weightlifting can be perfect. It empowers you and lifts your spirits, and the results are noticeable.” Seeing and feeling your own developing strength, she notes, helps breed new confidence.

5. What are your fitness goals?

Give some thought to your reasons for exercising. Are you interested in building strength, or dropping weight? Do you have a specific goal, like running your first 5K, benching a certain weight, or doing a pull-up? Are you just looking for enjoyable activities that get you moving?

Knowing your goals, and gearing your activities toward them, helps ensure that your workouts are both satisfying and successful in their outcomes. Because if you’re trying to lose weight, but pursuing a low-intensity routine more geared to general health, your outcomes are unlikely to feel 100 percent rewarding. If you’re trying to manage stress, training for an ultramarathon may not be your best bet.

Not sure what you need to do to achieve your goals, or where to begin? Consider working with a qualified trainer who can help you design a program that syncs with your current fitness level and your interests. Or search for “Feeling Groovy: A Fitness Primer.”

Finding the “It” Factor

So how do you know when you’ve found the right fitness-building activity?

For some people, it’s a lot like falling in love: Suddenly, they just know. For others, the discovery is subtler, just a sense of “maybe.” For this reason, Seppinni advises to “give a new activity three tries before you rule it out.”

This is especially true for group fitness classes, notes Andersen. “You won’t know if you love it on the first visit, because you’ll probably be nervous and learning the new routine.” After three tries, you’ll have a sense of whether you’re excited to go back.

If a passion starts to fade, don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board and search for something new, says Andersen. Your fitness tastes may change as you enter new life stages such as parenthood, moving to a new climate, or retirement. “My No. 1 measure of success with any new fitness routine is how much fun I’m having now,” she says. “I don’t look at numbers like weight, heart rate or calories anymore. It’s about how good I feel.”

You want to Rollerblade around the lake and your partner wants to catch a movie. You both want to take a class, but you’re interested in kettlebells and your partner wants to learn German.

It can be tough on the relationship when partners have different ideas about how to spend leisure time. Either you’re always at odds with each other, or you agree to do separate activities and wind up like ships passing in the night.

Expert marriage therapist Willard F. Harley emphasizes that shared leisure activities are essential for growing together as a couple and staying in love. Here are his expert strategies for couples wanting to find recreational companionship.

Barriers to Overcome

• Differing energy levels. As a function of your physical makeup or health status, you may simply have different amounts of “gas in the tank” for leisure activities.
• Separate tracks. “When people are dating,” says Harley, “they often experiment with doing things together that one of them doesn’t enjoy. Once married, though, they tend to separate into two tracks. More confident that their partners won’t leave, they find comfort zones that don’t involve each other.”
• Infidelity dangers. Sharing the fun of leisure activities creates strong bonds and attractions between people, Harley points out. Building outside relationships in separate leisure spheres can threaten the partnership.
• The “if you loved me” trap. Thinking that a partner’s unwillingness to join you in your leisure activity indicates a lack of love or a lack of willingness to compromise on his or her part can quickly turn into resentment and anger. 

I was doing side planks and noticed I could hold one side a lot longer than the other. Is it possible to have uneven abs?

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