A Program For Physical Fitness

Exercise 7.   Leg Raising.

A. Lie flat and straight on your back, on bed, with legs close together.  Lift hands back of head and grasp bedstead or bed-spring firmly.   Take slow, deep breath and as you inhale lift feet until toes touch bedstead or wall, then drop feet slowly and exhale in unison.   Legs must be kept perfectly straight, and head must not rise from the bed.  Do this two or three times to start with, and more in time as you may desire.

B. Stand at "Attention" - as in A, Exercise 1. Then inhale and exhale three times - as in H and I, Exercise 1.

C. Relax, and stand "at ease" for a minute - as in J, Exercise 1.
 

Exercise 8. Head Movement.

A. Circle head slowly in a wide arc, two times to the right, then two times to the left.

B. Inhale and exhale twice - as in H and I, Exercise 1.

C. Relax, and stand "at ease" for a minute - as in J, Exercise 1.
 

Exercise 9.   Arm Movements.

A. Finish off with a brisk sequence of Exercise 1 - three times or more.

B. Dismissed!

Performing the minimum number of exercises outlined in the simple program presented above, will take only about fifteen minutes, which is indeed a modest allotment of time each day for your physical health and well-being.

This home calisthenics program should, of course, be supplemented with some other kind of exercise (preferably outdoor) such as walking, which is the most popular and perhaps the most rewarding, swimming, golf, tennis, croquet, badminton, skating, gardening, et cetera - the choice according to one's ability and inclination, and subject to your doctor's approval.

Never forget that your body is the constant and lifelong vehicle of your mind and spirit, your whole being. Whether or not you "go places" - achieve a life worthwhile - will depend to a great extent upon the condition of your physical power plant, the health and efficiency of your body.

Of one thing you may be certain - good health is not a free and lifetime gift of nature. It is a prize to be won by determined and continued effort; and easily lost through carelessness and neglect.

Physical fitness is, then, an essential step in a sound and intelligent program to achieve success and happiness. Begin now, to build a sound and healthy body, and then protect it as a most precious treasure, for that is truly what it is.

• A Program For Physical Fitness Ch 1
• A Program For Physical Fitness Ch 2
• A Program For Physical Fitness Ch 3
• A Program For Physical Fitness Ch 4
• A Program For Physical Fitness Ch 5
• A Program For Physical Fitness Ch 6