INDIANAPOLIS -- Cara Kempf is a certified personal trainer with the Fitness Zone in Carmel and a group fitness instructor with NIFS in downtown Indianapolis. She can be contacted at fitnessblog@theindychannel.com.

The polls are in:

For exercisers, at least. A recent poll of 11,000 SELF Magazine readers reveal some interesting strategies when it comes to fitness. Check them out:

Finding time for workouts:
Fifty-two percent of readers relayed that they cut out time in front of the television to spend time in the gym. Sounds great to me. Twenty-four percent cut a little housework time to get in a workout. Not a bad idea, although most of us probably need to cut the T.V. time.

What they eat before exercise:
Protein packed peanut butter sandwiches were No. 1 on the list. Other healthy snacks included energy bars (low-cal Luna), lowfat yogurt, and smoothies. If you like peanut butter AND smoothies, try this quick homemade protein smoothie -– it's my favorite:

• 4 Ice Cubes
• 1 cup Skim Milk
• 1 Banana
• 1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter
• 1 tsp. Splenda OR 1 Tbsp. Honey
• BLEND!!

Fastest way to get fit:
Twenty-two percent said yoga and pilates give the best results. You might want to throw a kickboxing or step class in the mix–those can burn up to a whopping 500 calories per session!

Four good reasons to exercise today:

1. It beats dieting -– 41 percent of the readers said that exercise makes weight management easier. Isn't that the truth!
2. It releases tension. Thirty-eight percent relieve high levels of stress with a good workout -– this is my number one answer!
3. Twenty-three percent simply said, "You'll love your body."
4. It's comparable to free health insurance because regular exercise can help prevent lots of illnesses!