For most of my life I jogged pretty regularly. It was a cheap way of getting really good exercise and could be done anywhere in the world. And sometimes I was able to enjoy really scenic runs, such as the hills above Berkeley overlooking San Francisco Bay, the SF skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge, or a run I used to do in the rolling hills of Iowa where I would see no other people or cars for an entire 6-mile run. But recently some problems with my feet, ankles, and knees have made it kind of risky for me to run on the roads. Eventually I joined a gym and it took me about a full year of running on the treadmill regularly before I taught myself to do it. The meditative zen that I could achieve on the roads when I was lost in my own thoughts was really hard to find on a machine in a brightly lit room next to another machine with another person huffing and puffing and another machine next to that one and . . . . Eventually I learned to ignore my surroundings and get into a groove despite the fact that dozens of strangers were sweating only a few feet from me. I can't say that it's not boring but rather that eventually I learned how to do it despite the boredom.

Strumelia said:

A friend of mine seriously believes that all babies should be issued a ukulele by the government. She insists that the savings in terms of increased production due to greater happiness would far outweigh the costs of the instrument. She is a mental health professional. Maybe she got the idea from Good Ol' Charlie Brown:

Or maybe she got it from this song by Loudon Wainwright III , who insists that "Four strings made of nylon always put a smile on/Anybody's face who's feeling blue." Why?

Because a ukulele's like a little baby

You cradle it in your arms and you sing

A lulluby or ditty when you're feeling shi**y

It'll pick you up, you know it's just the thing.

Geekling said:

No, the bicycling to the gym part is not boring, it's the 'stationary' treadmill at the gym that's boring. I'm never bored riding my bike. But it's very hilly here and it can get terribly hot and wipe me out. I need the gym to get more of a whole body workout.

I rode to the gym today again on my bicycle. The gym is boring as all heck...but it felt real good after i got home. Did lots of spinal bends and twists today too.

This! Music has ALWAYS been my stress release. It is great for your health. I'm blessed that music has been a part of my life since age 9.

Dusty Turtle said:

Kaiser Permanente, an HMO based in Northern California (in fact, the first HMO ever, created back when the Kaiser shipyards made the ships in Oakland and Richmond, CA that won World War II) has been running a recent advertising campaign:

I don't have high blood pressure, but I would have to agree that music reduces stress and helps us deal emotionally with whatever life throws our way.

I haven't lost any weight yet (nor eating less)....but I have joined back up at the gym with Brian and we do go 3 x a week now. about 45 minutes each time. That's something at least! You guys are impressive!!

Since the beginning of the year I lost 25 pounds and am still working my way downward. I did this mostly through portion control and a slight change in diet. I am limiting sweets, not going for seconds, etc. Now that winter appears to be over I am to get outside more and increase my exercise. I hope to double my weight loss by the end of the year. I have more energy at the moment.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

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