My mother, a nurse, had instilled in me from an early age the importance of regular exercise and a wholesome well balanced diet. After being discharged from the Army, I entered college and earned a BA degree and teaching credential in Physical Education. During my years attending college, I developed a controversial theory based on my experiences, class research projects and personal observations. Although not obtained through absolute scientific fact, I firmly believe it to be realistic. My theory–in the grand scheme of this worthwhile journey we call life, exercise is more essential than diet to an individual’s overall well being and pursuit of happiness.
Before I enlighten you, allow me to state for the record that I firmly believe a wholesome well-rounded diet and regular exercise are both vital ingredients to living a healthy, meaningful and productive life. I also consider that obsession with either can be a destructive force and is never a wise path to follow.
In addition, logic dictates that if you exercise regularly you are more likely to consume healthier foods and maintain an appropriate weight. Conversely, if you maintain a sensible diet, you don’t necessarily exercise. Therein lies the heart and soul of my supposition. Below I provide three axioms you’ll almost certainly agree with.
One: It’s much easier to prepare and eat a nutritional meal than it is to drag your rear outside and run three miles. The wealth of information on diet, healthy meals and nutrition is easily attainable in books, numerous newspaper articles and on the internet. Just Google diet or nutrition and you’re bombarded with thousands of informational commentaries on these subjects for your perusal. If you have the will and determination, putting a well-balanced meal on your table is simple. Unfortunately, you can’t use the search engine on your computer to play four sets of tennis for you or swim 100 laps in the pool. Exercise requires consistent effort and physical exertion. And no, lifting a fork full of broccoli to your mouth is not exercise!
Two: You can supplement a lack of dietary needs by taking vitamins or nutritional drinks; however, you can’t supplant a ten-mile bike ride on the Strand with a pill. Eating organic, gluten-free rice cakes cannot aid in building a stronger heart or the strengthening of other muscles. In the myriad health food stores throughout the South Bay, shelves are stocked with vitamins, supplements and nutritional additives to assist you in maintaining an adequate bodily chemistry. Take this pill once in the morning or add this tasteless powder to a glass of organic orange juice and you’re set for the day. Unfortunately, your arms will still be flabby! Once again, there are no shortcuts to a strong, fit and sleek body you can be proud of. One of life’s simple truisms proves undeniable–you get out of it what you put into it. A wellplanned exercise routine easily offsets the negative effects of an occasional double cheeseburger, slice of pepperoni pizza or hefty serving of cheesecake.
Three: Those who regularly workout but don’t eat particularly well usually appear fit and healthy, while those who only concentrate on their diet without the benefit of exercise lack muscle tone and often appear gaunt and sickly. Here’s an effortless way to test my hypothesis. The next time you visit a Trader Joe’s market, take a close objective look at the people shopping. Although their carts may be loaded with fruits, fresh veggies and organic treats, they often appear frail, and frankly, in poor health. Meanwhile, when spotting a fit individual, you can instantly determine that they work out by their muscle tone, weight and overall athletic appearance.
In a nutshell, it’s obviously far healthier to exercise and consume a well-balanced diet to ensure an extended, energetic life. The formula is simple; implementation though requires a serious effort. So I suggest tomorrow morning toss the blueberry pop tarts in the trash, eat a banana and get your butt down to the beach for a walk, jog or full out run. In a short time, you’ll feel spry, more lively and look younger. Guaranteed!
Pete Whalon, author of “The Siagon Zoo” has called Southern California home since age five.
