Getting Pretty Healthy

In their book, Live a Little: Breaking the Rules Won't Break Your Health, Dr. Susan Love and Alice Domar take on the health police and provide women with more realistic wellness goals. The authors discuss many of the prescribed health "rules" that have very little scientific backing.

I found it refreshing to learn that Dr. Susan Love did not start a fitness program until age 50. She has no regrets regarding this late start; she spent her younger days doing research, working with breast cancer patients, writing books, and raising a family.

Dr. Love designed the following quiz to assess a woman's fitness level:

1. Are you able to walk for one mile in twenty minutes or less?
2. Can you jog a mile without stopping?
3. Can you stand on one foot and maintain your balance for thirty seconds?
4. Sit in a chair. Can you stand up without using your arms?
5. Can you lift and carry two grocery bags--one in each hand?

Anyone who is able to answer yes to every question demonstrates basic levels of cardiovascular fitness, strength, and balance. YOU ARE PRETTY HEALTHY!!

On a personal note...

I was able to answer yes to four of the above questions. I need to work on #2.