Exercise

All of our lives we hear about the value of a good diet and exercise. Yet the human temptation to eat the wrong kinds of foods and never exercise is strong. In fact, I would prefer to live my life eating ice cream, hamburgers, french fries, potato chips and cake in front of the television set and never accomplishing anything.

But a few years ago, I realized (after a physician pointed out a few things) that I was a potential walking heart attack. So I rethought my lifestyle and began to eat the right kinds of foods and begin an exercise program. Each morning I wake up and pray. Then I do 250 jumping jacks, 100 situps, and 100 pushups. Then I am ready for the day and feel much more productive.

Now all that may sound simple and easy and I have been told it is a sign of a disciplined mind, but the truth is that I hate it with a passion. I cannot stand to exercise and have not looked forward to it one time. Every morning I try my best to convince myself to skip the routine. I can think of the best excuses from being tired to not having time to not feeling well, but in the end, I force myself to do the routine. And once it is over, I do inevitably feel better.

Now I maintain that each person should design his or her own exercise routine. It could be a brisk walk in the evenings or a 5 mile run or an exercise bike or a rigorous weight-lifting regime. I encourage you to find a system and stick with it as much as possible. Exercise is good for you and the truth remains that the more energy you use, the more you will have.

Start slowly and build up over a period of months. Don't try to overdo it too soon.
Establish your routine and think of it as long term goals for physical health. A friend of mine who went on to teach music at a major university, always encouraged people to keep their mental life in order, their physical life in order, and their spiritual life in order. I think that is a pretty good prescription for all of us.