I have also been accused of carrying exercise to extremes, and I admit to that also.  For a few years I trained for Ironman triathlons.  I now think doing ironman distances is immoderate and except for a few remarkable individuals with “iron” constitutions, training that hard can only lead to a form of exhaustion that is not health promoting.  I have become much more sensible in my “old” age, and in recent years have limited my participation to the Olympic distance triathlons.  I was on the Canadian team at the World Championship in 1992, and intend to do it again in 1995.  I do not find the Olympic distance exhausting, in fact I think it is great fun and truly exhilarating.  I get to see all these wonderful age group competitors from all over the world who look and feel fantastic.  It does my soul good to see a group of people aging so gracefully, not buying into the popular notion that old age is inevitably disabling, depressing, and ugly.  Sport brings a degree of balance to my life after spending so much time in the presence of the sick.  I plan to maintain my athletic activities into old age, barring accident or other unforeseen obstacles to fitness.

To maintain basic fitness it does not matter so much what form of exercise is chosen, as long as it is not damaging to the skeletal system or connective tissues.  Many people are unable to run due to foot, knee, hip, or back problems, but almost everyone can walk.  Walking outside is better than inside on a treadmill, and walking hills is better than walking on flat ground.  Exercise machines such as stationary bikes, cross country ski machines, and stair steppers work well for a lot of people who live in the city, especially in the winter, or for those who hate exercise.  Whatever you choose to do, it is important to at least double the resting pulse for 30 minutes no less than four days a week.  This is the absolute minimum required to maintain the health and function of the cardiovascular-pulmonary system.  If your resting pulse is 70, you must walk, jog, ski, bike, swim or what have you, fast enough to keep the pulse at 140 beats per minute for at least 30 minutes.

I have a strong preference to exercising outside in isolated places where there is only me and the forest, or only me and the river.  Running along logging roads in the hilly back country, or swimming in the green unpolluted water of a forest river is a spiritual experience for me.  It is a time to meditate, to commune with nature, and to clear my mind and create new solutions.  The repetitive action of running or walking or swimming, along with the regular deep breathing in clean air, with no distractions except what nature provides is truly health promoting.  Sharing these activities with friends or family can also be great fun and some of the best in social interactions.  It is one of my favorite ways of visiting with people.  I don’t expect other people to be as enthusiastic about exercise as I am, but I do hope that everyone will make an effort to be minimally fit as an ongoing part of their health program into old age.