The Role of Exercise

Ah, to be young again in physical terms. That may be a good image to contemplate, but it’s not going to happen. We have to do the best that we can be – given the physical condition we’re in -- at every stage of our lives. Yeah, it’s wishful thinking to envision what we did at age 25 – or even 35 or 45. Yet, the real issue is this: What am I capable of today? AND do I exercise as much as I can each week? We can’t ever give up on exercising. It’s too important.

I am happy when I can do my current exercise routine. Yet, some days are better than others with regard to how I feel. I miss days when I feel weak, get bronchitis, etc. But I will NEVER stop exercising.

Here’s what I do now:

• My home office is on top of my house. This means a lot of walking up and down stairs.
• I go supermarket shopping with Linda every week. I walk around the store and carry the grocery bags (and bags of litter for our three cats) into the house.
• When I teach at Hofstra, I walk a few miles each week from car to office to classroom, etc.; and I walk around the classroom. I will need to replace this exercise at the end of 2018 as I begin my retirement.
• At home, I have a set of light weights (from 1 to 8 pounds) and exercise brands (from light tension to very heavy). We also have a stationary bike in the basement. I exercise at home when I don’t go to the gym.