Ten Tips for Effective Exercise

Dr. Harvey B. Simon, a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School, started jogging when he was 34, in 1976. As he recounts at the Harvard Business Review blog, it wasn't easy at first. But for more than 30 years (yes, 30!) he has jogged between 2 and 50 miles every day. Every day, without fail.

Dr. Simon (who was also featured in this Wall Street Journal article written by his daughter) is the first to admit that his running obsession isn't necessarily a good thing. Moderate exercise has its own benefits, at any age. In his blog entry, he offers ten tips for making regular exercise a part of your life. Check out the blog for a full explanation of each:

1. Know your starting point.
   
2. Establish goals.
   
3. Plan for the long haul.
   
4. Listen to your body.
   
5. Try other activities that complement your basic program.
   
6. Warm up and cool down.
   
7. Don't eat and run.
   
8. Use exercise to reduce the stress of business.
   
9. Take your exercise program to work.
   
10. Make exercise part of a balanced wellness program.
    

I especially like numbers 9 and 10. Dr. Simon recommends walking during the day at work, and mentions that it doesn't take much to see a health benefit. He also points out that exercise is only one aspect of wellness. Nutrition, stress management, and preventive care are equally important.