I Done Tole You So

What Have I Been Telling You? 

Exercise Makes You Feel Good.  See. 

I DONE TOLE YOU SO.

That's a direct quote from one of my sons when he knows he's right.  "I done tole you so."  I think he's quoting some movie character.  What am I right about, you ask?  Well, Dr. Michelle Segar of the University of Michigan has done a lot of research into why people exercise - what motivates people to begin an exercise regimen and what keeps them doing it.  It's the fun, stupid!

I knew science would catch up with me.  The world's leading experts can talk all they want, spout all kinds of statistics about the health benefits of walking and other forms of exercise, about how it will keep you from getting heart disease when you're 90 or osteoporosis when you're 50 or whatever awful things will befall you in about 100 years.  Really?  And in my 20's I care about this why?

Well, most 20 somethings don't care about the benefits.  They care about two things:
Looking Good
Feeling Good

Me too!  I walk every day because it makes me feel good.  If I happen to lose a couple pounds along the way, lower my blood pressure, increase my bone strength, sleep better, and live longer (in good health), I won't turn down those benefits (even if I could).  But, I am like most people in that I'm:
Lazy
Egocentric
Concerned More About Today Than Tomorrow
Concerned More About Having A Good Time Today Than In Twenty Years.

Dr. Segar even agrees with me that if people exercise with other people, they enjoy the social contacts.  See?  I'm right again.  Look at the how many times I've referred to - E Walk And Talk Buddies and all the times I've written about my walking buddies, Kathy, Kris, Sally, Laurie, and my 4-legged sweetie Lizzie.

I'm so happy for Dr. Segar and her colleagues that their research agrees with mine and - no sarcasm intended - that Dr. Segar has shared her results with others.  The weight of her degrees lends weight to my thesis.  And, you know we are right!

I done tole you so.  And, guess what?  I emailed Dr. Segar and she responded the next day (!!!) with positive input and the note that she is putting me on her list to receive update into her research.  I've emailed other luminaries in the business of walking and general physical exercise and not one has bothered to respond!  Kudos to Dr. Segar for helping out the little guy (me) who is trying to change the world for the better one step at a time.

NOTE:  These findings appear in the August 28, 2012 issue of the New York Times



*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.