Since then, I have not missed five consecutive days in getting some type of aerobic exercise, mostly jogging.

Exercise can't counteract the damage being done to your body while you continue to smoke. What exercise can do is help you kick the habit.

I used to think that it didn't make any difference how far you ran if you had a good, strong musculoskeletal system and no underlying cardiovascular problems.

Now I say that if you run more than 15 miles a week, it's for something other than aerobic fitness. Once you pass 15 miles, you do not see much further improvement.

According to the Gallup Poll, 24 percent of American adults exercised regularly in 1961, and 50 percent after 1968. The peak was 59 percent in 1984, dropping off to 51 percent last September.

After 26 years, I am still practicing what I preach.

[Walking's] overwhelming advantage is that it can be done by anyone, anytime, anywhere-and it doesn't even look like exercise.