Sweat Factor

While we all know that we should keep in shape, living the management lifestyle often overwhelms our need to exercise. Plus, the kind of exercise we need is usually the kind we don't want. I am not a health professional, but I have a layman's knowledge gained through the trials of real life.

Ignoring our bodies is a recipe for long-term ill health. Some corporations pay for exercise-related expenses, but that investment in employee well-being only works if employees, and particularly managers perceive that they can take the time to participate in exercise programs. The easiest step is signing up for classes - attending is a whole different matter, as any fitness facility will acknowledge.

As a manager, for many years I preferred the relaxation route to exercise, primarily through yoga. As a result I have great muscular and joint flexibility. I hated to sweat, so I avoided energetic sports. Walking, another favourite exercise, was no substitute for sweat. Getting the toxins of stress out of the body takes effort, and sweat is the sign that the effort is paying off.

However - at a yoga class I attended, a man dragged there by his wife was completely astonished that he couldn't accomplish any of the poses. He was a fitness nut by his perception, but he devoted all of his time to harsh pursuits, such as marathons and squash. His elasticity was non-existent, and he was severely challenged by the yogic requirement to calm the mind.

If you are not exercising, start now and don't be discouraged. If you exercise in one mode, try another. The most benefits accrue from challenging yourself to master a new skill. And, for any weight-loss goals, clumsiness in a new pursuit burns the most calories as your body works hard to adapt.