What Makes the Cut

Lately, I have been very busy.  Working an extra 12 hours a week really puts a drain on free time.  Yesterday, I found out I will now be working an extra 15 hours a week.  While the extra money will be great, that's another 3 hours that have to be worked into my already insane schedule. 

It got me thinking, where is this extra hour per day going to come from?  Likely sleep.  Or when I become too exhausted, it will be a skipped workout. Or procrastinated house and yard work.  When it comes to my health, which is the best to cut first?  So many studies have shown the importance of enough sleep, but what if getting enough sleep means not exercising?

I turned to google for an answer but found nothing definitive.  Just a lot of "it depends", "make time for both" "do shorter workouts", etc.  I always want things to be black and white, but they never are.  I will attempt to make room for everything, but if I am exhausted when the alarm goes off at 5:00 AM for the gym, I will have no problem hitting snooze.  In other words, I'll try to listen to my body.

Related links:

"Dear Greatist: Which is more important, sleep or exercise?" Greatist.com

"Ask the Celebrity Trainer: Should You Skip Sleep to Fit in a Workout?" Shape.com

"Exercise cuts the risk of cancer - but only if you get at least seven hours sleep, study finds" Mail online


What is the first thing you cut when you are very busy? exercise? sleep? housework? social life?