I’m learning to change my ways. Like getting the exercise bike, not wearing slippers in the house. It’s time to understanding that at some point old age will be a pain in the butt—literally, and in the bones. I worry that just walking up the stairs could be painful if I don’t get my act together now. So I look for ways to up the ante, to add a little bounce to my step.

I have to clean house every week. Someone’s got to do it, right? And for years I’ve put on my favorite albums when I cleaned. Linda Rhonstadt’s Lush Life. Anything by Eva Casiddy (have you heard Song Bird???) Sometimes Vavaldi’s Four Seasons. Maybe you already get where I’m going with this. I like female singers with slow sad songs, or classical. But the other day my husband put on Bruce Springsteen and I forgot it was in there, and boy, did I get some cleaning done. I even added a few dance steps in-between the vacuuming and the mopping.

And I kept cleaning until the music stopped.

I looked on-line for calories burned and dancing. You know, they have all those sites now that can tell you how many calories you burn doing almost anything, from brushing your teeth to running a marathon. Anyway, slow dancing burned around 80 calories a half hour. Faster dancing burned about 145. So no more Vavaldi for a while.

Sure, I’m going to miss my slippers and slow music, and there’s a time and place for everything, but do remember that as we get older, we tend to like the music a little more quiet, a little softer, maybe. My son always says, “If the music’s too loud, you’re too old,” and maybe he’s got a point. I’m not saying that you need to blast Rap music so loudly that the neighbors complain, but just remember what it felt like to dance around the house with a mop. Don’t give that up. It’s good for your health, and your heart.

Meanwhile…the San Diego Super Chargers are on TV and playing against the once mighty Oakland Raiders. These guys are in amazing shape! Their stamina and endurance is phenomenal to say the least. Back in the day, offensive and defensive lineman were pretty heavy and now they all have 6-Packs! How times have changed…. the NFl today has defensive ends who run 4.3 40yd. dashes! That is insane. I wonder what speed they use when they exercise on treadmills and other fitness equipment. On the sidelines of the games, exercise bikes are the most popular pieces of cardio fitness gym equipment and stationary upright bikes are used by players to reduce cramping.

What a great game, these guys could run forever, they do not get tired. If only all American’s had to go through such grueling physical training as professional foorball players in the NFL, our country would not be so fat and overweight, while our health problems would be reduced drastically. The reason the Unites States of America has so many unhealthy people is because we do not exercise enough. It is plain and simple, what you put in, is what you get out. If you spend all of your free time eating, drinking and relaxing, then your body will reflect that. Your confidence and physical appearance with deteriorate faster than Bear Stearns. So please do your part and exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Your health and happiness are counting on you!