Entrees to Exercise: The Mailbox Technique

This cool technique for getting into an exercise program is based on a true story, so I'll tell you the story and you'll instantly understand how to adopt it. This is an exercise program for people who haven't exercised for quite a while and might be tempted to start too fast -- or not at all.

The true story starts with a 68 yr old man's return from the doctor, where tests showed he had serious heart disease. No wonder! He was of signficant size, and spent most of his life on the couch -- when he wasn't getting a snack.

The news of heart disease motivated him to start an exercise program. He decided to start with a walk, so he headed out the front door. But he didn't make it past the mailbox before he was out of breath and feeling he couldn't go farther.

He returned to the couch, but before 24 hours had passed, he found within himself the resolve to continue his exercise program. He figured that if he could get to the mailbox the first day, he could get to his neighbor's mailbox the second. He did manage to do it before returning to his couch.

The next day, he did it again. He went to one more mailbox, turned around, and went home. So after that, that was his program: just one more mailbox.

He continued adding mailboxes until he was going quite a distance every day. He felt better, looked better, sounded better, and even slept better.

Finally he left his neighborhood and headed down the county road where the mailboxes were further apart. Still he added one a day, no more and no less.

The days went by. He felt better and better, and went faster and faster, and farther and farther. And what do you know? At the end of the year, he ran in and finished an actual marathon! No more heart disease for him!

This is a true story. The technique doesn't need much explanation. Remember: one mailbox a day (5 days a week will do). Don't cheat by going too far. Just add one.

I tried this. I took my dog and he loved it. We went quite far, over time. I never felt oppressed by the program because I always knew where I would be stopping.

I don't know if it will work for you, but what if it does? Set out for the next mailbox today! PL

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