Jon Stanton

OK, if I could figure out how to put a poll on this page, I would ask how many of you think exercise is evil? I know I used to think that when I weighed 430 pounds. I had developed every excuse you can imagine for why I didn't exercise. My favorite one to throw out there was "I get plenty of exercise. When you're as big as I am, just walking from the car to the office is enough daily exercise!" Of course, I never mentioned that I often had to stop and rest on those "walks" that were less than 500 feet! It seems unbelievable now...

Excercise is wonderful. I don't know how else to put it, and I know some of you will probably want to start cursing at the screen when you read that, but it is SO true. Exercise not only helps you lose weight and maintain body fitness, it makes you feel good all the way around. Exercise is the best cure for being tired, being grumpy, feeling achy and sore - you name it...these "conditions" are all treatable with exercise.

When I first started losing weight, I decided the only exercise I could really do at that time was walk - and even that was difficult! The first night, I walked to the end of the driveway and back - less than 500 feet. I thought I was going to die, but I was determined. I kept adding distance gradually, and after about 3 months, I could walk a mile with only short breaks.

I quickly noticed that not only was I losing weight, I was feeling better overall. I didn't feel as fatigued and grumpy as I often did before. When I returned from my walks, I noticed that I had a lot more energy then when I started. Over time, I noticed that I didn't get sick nearly as often as before, I didn't have as many aches and pains, and I found myself "craving movement" because it just plain made me feel better!

Today, almost 2 years later, I walk at least 3 miles per day - sometimes more. I do high-intensity cardio step aerobics twice per week, ride my bike for miles and miles (when the weather permits) and continue to feel great! I take a break at work every day (usually around 2pm) and head out for a 2.5 mile loop around downtown Lansing. Many times when I leave, I am tired, cranky (depending on the day's events...lol) and feeling like walking might be the last thing I want to do. However, I've learned that it's the BEST thing I can do. I return from those walks energized and ready to finish out my day with a bang! The endorphins (feel-good hormones) that exercising releases work wonders!

So I want to encourage you to make yourself exercise. Yes, it's hard in the beginning. It takes discipline, willpower, and all that other "stuff" that is no fun, but once you make it a habit (usually about 21 days, according to experts) you will find you never want to miss it again!