Lawrence Memorial Hospital CEO Gene Meyer exercises by running and lifting weights, but has a great weakness for doughnuts.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

If it seems like there’s never enough time in a 24-hour day to fit everything in, you’re not alone.

According to a recent national survey, Kansans report lack of time as the No. 1 barrier keeping them from leading a healthier lifestyle.

Kansans could use more time for exercise, sleep or cooking healthier meals.

So, do local and state health professionals face the same barrier? You bet.

“Lack of time is the biggest one,” says Gene Meyer, 56, Lawrence Memorial Hospital CEO.

Meyer has meetings at all times of the day, so he finds it hard to fit in exercise. It’s also difficult to fit in nutritious foods.

“You find yourself, even if you were trying to eat healthy, in a lot of meetings that consume either breakfast or a lunch or possibly even a dinner,” he says.

What’s served? Oftentimes, it is quick, convenient foods such as doughnuts and pastries, and Meyer says he can’t resist the temptation of sweets.

That’s why on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the healthiest, he rates himself a 7.

“Probably, I could improve a point or two in eating habits. As far as exercise, I feel pretty good about what I do,” he says.

Meyer meets the state’s recommendation of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week. He runs about three miles four days per week and lifts weights twice a week.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, 64, also meets the exercise recommendations by walking 30 minutes each day when time allows. She tries to incorporate steep hills to “get the blood flowing.”

Unlike Meyer, she avoids sweets and fried foods. She eats lots of salads, fish and lean meat. Therefore, she gives herself an 8 when it comes to her health.

Topping that was Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, 60, who rates herself a 9. The governor avoids junk food and prefers to cook healthy meals at home instead of eating at restaurants or events. Besides playing golf and tennis when the weather permits, she regularly runs three miles and fits it into her early morning routine.

“I have found that getting up earlier to exercise makes me less tired as the day wears on,” she says.

Praeger and Sebelius also say their biggest barriers to living a healthier life was time. Praeger could use more time for exercise, while Sebelius could use it for sleep.