When I was in Beijing, I went out with my youngest sister every evening. Yesterday, I asked her if she still did it after dinner. “No. I don’t feel like it now that I’m alone,” she replied. She is living by herself now.
Nature has its way of aging us if we allow inertia to take charge and always take the path of least resistance. When we exercise to postpone aging, we are essentially going uphill against nature. A tough task. It takes both a strong will and self-discipline to exercise and stay fit every day.
When I worked at the KU Cancer Center, I read about morbidity and mortality of cancer by race in the U.S. Some racial groups experience higher rates than others. Besides genetic factors, lifestyle likely plays a key role. A healthy lifestyle includes both healthy eating and regular exercise.
Maintaining an exercise routine is a testament to our willpower. My daily routine includes swimming, walking and working with dumbbells.
Despite the natural inclination to stay put and the temptation of inertia, choosing to stay active is a deliberate and willful effort to defy the natural inactivity and achieve overall well-being.
Strong will power is the prerequisite to a strong body. We need will power to discipline ourselves and to eat healthy, exercise regularly and to keep away from addictions.