“I’ve noticed,” Mom said, “ever since you got your paper
route, you haven’t been sick.”

Having a paper route in the middle of the last century
meant delivering papers to people’s homes seven days a
week, 365 days a year in rain, snow, summer dog days, and
excellent weathers.  It meant, in my case, exercising hard
for 45 minutes up to an hour and a half on snowy Sunday
mornings in the dark.

“Where have I heard this before?” you inquire politely.

“That’s right – Younger Next Year and Harry’s rules.  The
first rule is exercise hard six days a week.  Exercising
triggers the rebuilding and healing processes in your
body.”

“But you were just a kid, so you would have been healthy
anyhow,” You challenge.

“That’s the point.  I was not healthy.  I was a sickly kid
in some ways.  My new standard of health, post paper route,
was noticeable because of the massive contrast.”

Since the beginning of the year, eight months now, I have
been exercising hard seven days a week — How’s my health
been?

Conclusion – I have been much healthier than my norm.  That
is no colds and flu – more energy and good spirits.  I have
increased my exercise just enough to get this benefit.  I
was exercising hard already, just not enough to reach the
tipping point. 

I will see how this plays out in the future.

Here’s a question for you:

On my Sabbatical to Walla Walla, Washington, I noted that
Whitman College has just built a shinny new Fitness Center.
 What do you make of the name – Fitness Center.  What’s the
message they are giving to the students, faculty, alumni,
and Walla Walla with that title.

Is Fitness in?