LISTEN TO YOUR BODY - Segment 4 (Scroll down for earlier segments)

      That afternoon I decided I would work out on the treadmill, and then enjoy some fresh fruit and veggies.  Just when I started to step on the treadmill, my body balked.  “Forget the treadmill, “it said.  “We can do that later.”  Let’s get a bowl of ice cream and a handful of cookies, and go big game hunting.”

     I strongly resisted the temptation to shorten my life with ice cream and cookies, but my body used temptation to overcome my resistance.  Not wanting to create an ugly scene by fighting back, I wisely filled a large bowl with ice cream, grabbed a package of cookies, and went big game hunting.  This meant grabbing my remote and tracking down the top football games on the ESPN highlight reel.  Of course, it’s almost impossible to track down any football game unless you’re in a recliner with a built-in back massager. 

     As soon as we had successfully completed our big game hunt, I said, “It’s time for us to get on that treadmill.”  My body didn’t hear a word.  It was sound asleep.  I thanked my body.  I was almost asleep, too.

     The following morning I was struck with a profound truth, which left a small lump on the side of my head.  If I was going to follow Miss Slimmer’s advice, I would have to take a tougher stand against the will of my body. 

     Later that week, I decided to walk a couple of miles around the high school track.  My body began protesting immediately.  “What are we doing?” it questioned loudly. 

    “Just walking around the track,” I answered.  “My chiropractor said you would thank me for it; maybe even give me a nice card.”

      “Are you joking?  I don’t give cards, but I may consider legal action if we don’t slow down.”

      “Going too slow is not good; faster is better,” I continued.

      “Sitting is better,” my body went on.

       “Don’t you want to limber up, keep the blood flowing, live longer?” I asked.

      “Live longer?  This exercise is killing me! I’ll live longer if I lie down.  Hey! There’s a nice spot on the grass.  Let’s get over there before some other body takes it.”  My body ran over and slumped to the ground.  “Get up!” I demanded.  It didn’t move.

     Miss Slimmer hadn’t told me it would be this hard.  I was getting more exercise fighting with my body.


To be continued...check back soon.