Ray's Daily

What fits your busy schedule better, exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours a day?

Randy Glasbergen

In yesterday’s Daily I suggested that this was a good time of the year for us to inventory our blessings, rethink our desires, and recognize the challenges ahead. As I was thinking back over the last six months I again realized how much more important the non-material things in life are than the material things we accumulate. As I thought about it I realized how important my Cardiologist and his support staff have been to me. I especially appreciated how tenacious they were in securing approval for me to enter into a cardiac rehabilitation program.

I am so fortunate to be participating in a program staffed by qualified professionals who are also warm and caring as they lead and motivate those of us they serve helping to improve our health while laying the foundation for ongoing healthy habits. I just had my tenth session out of the planned thirty three and my blood pressure is down while my stamina is on the way up. I am again feeling pretty good and I am relearning why I liked exercising in the past. I wish I had not demonstrated my failing intelligence by ever letting my health provide me excuses for not doing more. I plan on doing better in the future.

I really should have heeded the advice of the Mayo Clinic as suggested in the following peace

Exercise

Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing to exercise? Check out these seven ways exercise can improve your life.

No. 1: Exercise controls weight – Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can’t do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

No. 2: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases – Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

No. 3: – Exercise improves mood – Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

No. 4: Exercise boosts energy – Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

No. 5: Exercise promotes better sleep – Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

No. 6: Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life – Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there’s more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don’t exercise.

No. 7: Exercise can be fun – Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new.

The bottom line on exercise

Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any health concerns.

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We do not stop exercising because we grow old – we grow old because we stop exercising.

Dr. Kenneth Cooper

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Some of my favorite signs signs:

In a Podiatrist’s office: “Time wounds all heels.”

On a fence: “Salesmen Welcome, Dog food is expensive.”

Outside a Muffler Shop: “No appointment necessary, we’ll hear you coming.”

In a Veterinarians waiting room: “Be back in 5 minutes, Sit! Stay!”

Inside a Bowling Alley: “Please be quiet, we need to hear a pin drop.”

In the front yard of a funeral home: “Drive carefully, we’ll wait.”

In a counselors office: “Growing old is mandatory, growing wise is optional.”

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“I put instant coffee in a microwave and almost went back in time.”

Steven Wright

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The CIA loses track of one of its operatives, and so calls in one of their top spy hunters. The CIA boss says, “All I can tell you is that his name is Murphy and that he’s somewhere in Ireland. If you think you’ve located him, tell him the code words, ‘The weather forecast calls for mist in the morning.’ If it’s really him, he’ll answer, ‘Yes, and for mist at noon as well.'”

So the spy hunter goes to Ireland and stops in a bar in one of the small towns. He says to the bartender, “Maybe you can help me. I’m looking for a guy named Murphy.”

The bartender replies, “You’re going to have to be more specific because, around here, there are lots of guys named Murphy. There’s Murphy the Baker, who runs the pastry shop on the next block. There’s Murphy the Banker, who’s president of our local savings bank. There’s Murphy the Blacksmith, who works at the stables. And, as a matter of fact, my name is Murphy, too.”

Hearing this, the spy hunter figures he might as well try the code words on the bartender, so he says, “The weather forecast calls for mist in the morning.”

The bartender replies, “Oh, you’re looking for Murphy the Spy. He lives right down the street.”

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Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.

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Smith goes to see his supervisor in the front office. “Boss,” he says, “we’re doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow, and my wife needs me to help with the attic and the garage, moving and hauling stuff.”

“We’re short-handed, Smith,” the boss replies. “I can’t give you the day off.”

“Thanks, boss,” says Smith, “I knew I could count on you!”

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Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.

Plato

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Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

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