I’ve been a runner for over twenty-five years. I ran cross-country in high school but gave it up in my twenties. As thirty approached, I realized my body was not serving me well, so I took up the sport again.
Over the years I worked my way up to three miles, then five and then seven. Eventually I ran a couple of Chicago marathons. But now each year I settle for one modest 10K in western Michigan in which I try to beat my age–setting my goal at one minute for every year.
I’d always heard about the runner’s high and the greater energy levels that carry you through the day. I’ve never experienced either.
But I did notice one remarkable result from running. I stopped getting the flu. Before I started running, I’d be laid up in bed with a high fever for a day or two every six months. After I started running, I’d get sick maybe once every two or three years.
Each fall I encourage everyone who works for me to get a flu shot. Hey, our insurance even pays for it. If only one person out of ten doesn’t get sick for one day because of flu shots, we’ve more than covered the cost of the ten shots–and we’ve saved someone from a day of misery. It just makes sense. So does exercise.
Of course I enjoy quoting G. K. Chesterton, Britian’s most rotund literary critic, who said, ”Whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes.” But if you’re looking to do your best or just want to make sure your boss knows you’re around each day making a contribution, the answer can be as simple as getting regular exercise and maybe that little flu shot.
And avoiding refined carbs. Did you know they, besides being oh-so-available during our Oct-Jan holiday season, weaken the immune system? Thanks for promoting basic, preventative measures.
I’m reminded of the time many years ago I was talking to a friend who worked at a warehouse. He told me that he and all the big, tough blue-collar guys he worked with were on a diet. “A diet?” I asked. “Warehouse guys?” He then proceeded to be the first person to explain to me what was either the Atkins diet or something like it. To my mind getting off carbs and eating fat sounded totally counterintuitive. But he said it was working great–especially since it meant they stopped the practice of someone bringing in a dozen doughnuts every morning to share.
Well, duh!
Duh, indeed! To clarify my words, not “carbs” but REFINED carbs, i.e. less white sugar and flour; more fruits and vegetables and whole grains. The Zone books (See, we’re back to books! This is good.) explain more about balancing complex carbs, healthy fats, and quality protein.
Yep, I’m tracking with you. White sugar and flour–the primary constituents of doughnuts. YUM! (Well, maybe for the first one.)