This was in my local newspaper, as a letter to the editor in the "Opinion" section....thought I would share it....

/

/

/

The Fountain of Youth is a pool of your exercise-induced perspiration. As a 91-year-old retired family physician, I rake leaves from the many trees on my property, and I did some shoveling of snow during this last storm. A few years ago, I painted most of my house.

Like the doctors mentioned in the Asbury Park Press article, “Physicians heal themselves,” Jan. 28, I too was in terrible shape a few years after graduating from medical school.

Like them, I returned to a sport in which I participated in high school and college — fencing — only to regain improved conditioning, never expecting to compete. However, I did start to enter tournaments on a local level and then nationally. What a great feeling to be in good condition again.

I eventually became a volunteer high school coach for 14 years, played softball and ran in the Senior Olympics in my 60s and then became a tennis player and enjoyed the sport into my 80s.

While I was practicing medicine, occasionally a young man in his 30s would want medication because he was out of shape. I would ask him if he exercised, and usually he would say no because he didn’t have any time. I would then ask him if he watched any sporting activities on TV, and usually he would say yes, and I would then tell him to suit up for the game in a sweat suit and exercise during the game.

If he didn’t think I was crazy and followed through with exercises, he always improved his general conditioning.

B 52...... How many times have I heard about the benefits of exercising, and how if you hang in there long enough in the beginning when you are actually dreading the MERE THOUGHT OF EXERCISING, that your life can turn around? How many times???? My husband and I joined a gym eight months ago (the fourth time I think) and I actually spent hours dreading when he would say,"Let's go to the gym." Dreaded going those first six weeks.... Then, as you know, things started to change.... Mobility, Strength, Flexibility, Endurance!!!!! Now, we both exercise 6-7 days/week. I HAVE TO GO..... My body needs for me to go. As a side note, my husband is now 50 pounds lighter and has become a runner!!!!

B 52...... How many times have I heard about the benefits of exercising, and how if you hang in there long enough in the beginning when you are actually dreading the MERE THOUGHT OF EXERCISING, that your life can turn around? How many times???? My husband and I joined a gym eight months ago (the fourth time I think) and I actually spent hours dreading when he would say,"Let's go to the gym." Dreaded going those first six weeks.... Then, as you know, things started to change.... Mobility, Strength, Flexibility, Endurance!!!!! Now, we both exercise 6-7 days/week. I HAVE TO GO..... My body needs for me to go. As a side note, my husband is now 50 pounds lighter and has become a runner!!!!

AMEN! If I miss a day at the gym, I feel like crap all day.....

At first it is a chore, until the rewards start to come, eventually....

What a great article and greater man!

I've caught the exercise bug - I find I want to push my body to see what I can do and it feels good.