Motivation for Exercise

You know, when you're younger, it's vanity. As you age, it's health. When I talk about health and I try to motivate people, I don't want to talk about LDL cholesterol or triglycerides or waist circumference. For some people that'll resonate. I want to talk about quality of life. It's not how long you live; it's how long you live well. You know, can you go duck hunting in your latter years? Can you chase your grandchildren? Can you take that trip you've always wanted to take?

There's no pill for quality of life. We know that maintaining a physically active lifestyle is the best way to assure you have optimal quality of life as you age. I think we're too hard on ourselves when it comes to healthy diet and regular exercise, and we think that there are people out there who have this undefeated career. They never make a mistake. That's not how it is. Everybody falls off the wagon, and you have to recognize that and appreciate that, and understand when you do fall off the wagon, you've been off the wagon for a while, start back up again.

The benefits begin immediately. It's just part of the game. Not everybody maintains their behavior perfectly all the time. So I'm asked on a regular basis, "What is the best exercise for me, the best or I want to know the best?" I say the best is the one you'll do. Just get off the couch. I hear all the time, "Oh, I hate to run, that's why I don't exercise." Well, don't run. Go find something you love. As life goes on, you're going to change what you like. There's nothing wrong with that. It could be cycling or swimming or taekwondo. What works for you, embrace it and go with it.