It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I’m preemptively getting a start on my (annual, inevitable) New Year’s resolution to get back in shape.

The reason I’m thinking about this now, before the turkey's been carved or stuffing's been stuffed? It's like this: I’m, it’s getting cold out, and the sun seems to be setting at about 4:30 in the afternoon. These things, in tandem, have been a recipe for comfort food and couch-lounging for going on six weeks now. Much longer and I'll have to rethink my favorite jeans.

The main quandary is that I don’t have much free time. I'm sure lots of people can relate to this. Commuting to the gym cuts into precious family hours, and hitting my favorite hiking trails is only practical on the weekends. So, I’m re-thinking “home fitness.” Obsessing on it, in fact. And what I've concluded so far is this: I need to buy a treadmill.

That should solve everything.

Truth is I’ve tried this before. Not the treadmill, but the home workout plan. It worked for a minute. But now I think I’ve figured out the secret to sustaining it. I need dedicated space. No more yoga DVDs in the living room with a 3-year-old who thinks downward dogs are for climbing. No more 5 pound weights repurposed as door stops.

But where? Presently, every inch of my house is otherwise occupied with core functions -- sleeping, eating, working and the like. There’s really only one choice, and that’s the garage. The chilly, also-packed garage.

I wasted no time and discussed this with the husband, urging him to join me in my fitness/treadmill obsession and thus willingly move some of his work benches and industrial strength tools to make way.

He grumbled a bit (something about never getting a chance to build anything anyway) but then agreed to the plan. It’s hard to knock someone for wanting to stay in shape. "That's your corner," he said pointing to a big pile of boxes.

I'll take it.

In the end I think I’m getting 40 square feet or so, but it’ll be my own 40 square feet in which to run in place, and will be so close by I can get three miles in during a single Dora the Explorer.

So, Happy New Year I guess. Early.

If you're interested in turning your garage...or part of your garage...into an exercise space, California Closets can help you transform it. Find a Cal Closets near you and request a free consultation.