Gerry... I agree, the benefits of regular exercise are tremendous. I call it the most underrated supplement there is.

but.. most people that start exercising usually need to see some benefit to keep on exercising. It is just human nature.

personally.. I think if any person can just bite the bullet and start exercising at least 3 times a week.. just walk for 20 minutes - I think that it will end up making them feel enough of a difference that if they stop after a couple of months of doing it, they will feel the difference. They will start noticing the aches and pains and sluggishness.. and say, wait! I wasn't feeling this way when I was walking.. maybe I should start again. Then when they feel better after that walk.. it starts clicking. You start realizing your body is trying to talk to you, but you weren't understanding before.

but you have to start feeling better to miss it when you don't. so, you have to have the motivation from somewhere to start exercising. and I think what you say is what gets a lot of people off the couch. but I think the good feeling that exercise gives you, and the looking better, and progress in some shape or form, is what KEEPS people exercising.

my opinion.. but it is based on personal experience. the personal experience of a person that used to be much more inclined to curl up on the couch with a book than to take a walk. but not anymore. and it is the carrot of the way that exercise makes me feel that keeps me exercising, rather than the whip of I'd better exercise or I will keel over that keeps me exercising.

of course, the improvement in blood pressure, circulation, improvement in strength, etc.. sure helps. :wink:

I finally got off my dead ass and I'm feeling better for it. A special someone goaded me into starting to exercise and I'm indebted. Another special someone is my dog Buddy who accompanies me on my walk. Buddy really looks forward to our daily walk. Each day before starting my walk, I forward my land phone to my cell phone. When Buddy sees me go through the phone forwarding routine, he runs into the living room and stares at his leash hanging on the walk. By the way, walk with a stout walking cane to fend off stray dogs or whatever. I've had to fight off big dogs several times from attacking Buddy.

Iggy.. this is how I started too! Our family got a puppy, and boy.. this puppy had so much energy. So, I started walking her to burn off some of that energy.

But I was appalled at how winded I was getting in such a short distance. so I started walking her everyday, and I noticed that I could go further and further without having to catch my breath. and I would feel good afterwords. Kind of energized and relaxed at the same time. a good feeling.

and.. my puppy would be pooped (literally and figuratively :P )

My dog just turned 9, and the vets keep thinking she is about half her age. I think it is the exercise (she also loves chasing a tennis ball my son throws for her all the time). She had to have surgery, and the vet said her recovery was very fast. He said that part of the reason was her excellent muscle tone. and I have heard this about people as well. The better shape you are in, the quicker you recover from surgery.

so.. there are many benefits from exercise. You don't have to be an athelete. hey.. all you need is a dog!!!

(but don't use not having a dog as an excuse!).

I just edited my previous post to include the reference. I did not put it earlier because I gave it as a question in the "other" forum.

It's from The Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, July 11, 1996; Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC. I saw it quoted in the book, Pain Free At Your PC by Pete Egoscue.

As in the links in the bottom of the first post of this thread, longer lives are associated with MET scores of 6 or greater. A MET score of 1 is equivalent to sitting down. So if we want to live both a long and healthy life, our daily activity must be at least 6 times that of sitting down.

Gerry

Just to add a link to a thread on my experience with interval training.

Resting heart rate as a risk indicator

Gerry

A good reminder. This week, I'll start back on an exercise program.

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Couldn't agree more that exercise is king! Its transformed my own life, and I regularly make a point of suggesting it to others. Its usually that initial "bump" to get over - the "oh I can't be bothered starting" bump

Then once you're under way, you might get tired, but you'll feel BETTER for it. Especially if your chosen exercise leads to more adventurous exercise, such as mountain biking, which release all sorts of good brain chemicals in the process of getting you fitter and healthier.