Recently we were told by a student that setting aside time for improving his physical fitness would be a total misuse of his working hours. He assured us that he would be no better served by a fitness program than by learning to play bridge. College and his preparation for a career were his only priorities.

This student has seen being physically fit as an end rather than the means we know it to be. His opinion is one of the many feelings, pro or con, that people hold about their personal involvement in a physical fitness program.

Many people, including college students of all ages, spend little time in pursuit of physical fitness. Certainly some of these individuals may have physical limitations that make activity extremely difficult, and others are engaged in time-consuming activities that until finished do not permit opportunities for recreation. However, what about the majority who could do much more but do so little? Does one of the following statements sound like you?

"I know it's important, but I just don't have time right now."

"I'm already fit, and with my schedule, I'll have no difficulty staying that way."

"I should do more than I do, but I just don't have facilities and I don't get much support from others."

"Exercise makes me feel terrible. Even when I shower, I get to my next class wet, and probably smelling like a locker room."

Unlike these people who have made no commitment to fitness, you may have made a commitment to a physical fitness program that might be rather narrow in scope. If one of the following comments fits you, perhaps you are failing to see the broader values of maintaining a high level of physical fitness.

"Everyone in the dorm runs at night. That's why I run."

"For every 3,500 calories I can 'burn' during exercise, I'll lose a pound of fat. I have only 10 pounds more to drop before Christmas."

"This weekend will be cool and nice. Saturday looks like a good day for a personal record."

"Some would say I have a fear of death. Heck, I just want to live a long time."

If you see your own attitude represented by one of thee comments, might you be shortsighted in your reason for valuing fitness? We would suggest that you reexamine your approach to fitness and its ability to positively influence other aspects of your life. Ask yourself, "What could I achieve if I were really in top physical condition?" Because fitness levels are easily observed and can be measured, you can quickly start to see the emerging person you are capable of becoming. Almost daily you can see progress and accomplishment. Keep in mind, however, that all people are different and some may progress faster than others. In the final analysis, we think that although fitness will not guarantee that you will live longer, it can help you enjoy the years you do live.

最近，有个学生告诉我说，分出一部分时间去提高身体健康的水平，纯粹是挤占了他的学习时间。他想让我相信，假如让他参加健身培训班和让他学打桥牌同样都是对他没有好处的。他把上大学和准备干一番事业摆在了比一切都重要的位置。

另一位学生把有个健康的身体看作是最终目标，而不像我们那样把身体健康当作工作学习的一种手段或工具。许多参加健身培训班的人都有着各种不同的感受，有的说好有的说坏，这位学生的意见是各种感受之一。

很多人，包括各种年龄的大学生，几乎不花时间去追求身体健康。当然，这些人中有些因为受到生理上的限制以致参加活动极为困难，还有些人从事着耗费时间的事务活动，以致只能等到忙完了这些事务才有可能去参加消遣活动锻炼锻炼。但是，大多数人，本来可以多参加些锻炼活动，可是实际上却参加得很少。这些人又怎么样呢？下面这些论调中有哪一种听起来像是你说的呢？

"我倒是知道身体健康很重要，不过我现在就是没有时间。"

"我的身体已经很健康了，虽然我的时间表安排得很紧，但我要保持现在的健康还是没问题的。"

"我本来应该比我现在参加锻炼的次数更多一些，可是我没有那些健身设备，也没有别人多加赞助我。"

"锻炼使我觉得很不愉快。甚至淋浴以后赶到下一堂的课室中身上还是湿淋淋的，也许会让人闻到我身上的汗腥味好像是在更衣裳室里一样臭。"

你跟这些没有参加健身活动的人不同。你可能已经参加了健身培训班，也许这个培训班的培训范围相当狭窄。如果下列这些说法中有一种正适合你的情况，那也许你还不懂参加高水平的健身活动会对你有更大的价值。

"我们宿舍里大家晚上都在跑步。所以我也跑步。"

"在我锻炼期间，我每'烧'掉3500卡路里，我就减少了一磅脂肪。在圣诞节前我还要再减掉10磅重的脂肪。"

"这个周末天气将会又凉又快又舒适。星期六看起来像是个创造个人记录的好日子。"

"有人会说我怕死。见他的鬼去吧。我只是想长寿。"

如果上面的说法之一你觉得正是代表了你自己的态度，也许你参加健身运动的理由会有点儿目光短浅吧？我们建议您重新检查一下你对待健康的态度、重新检查一下身体健康对您生活的其他一些方面能有哪些好的影响。扪心自问："倘若我的身体真的达到了最棒的状态，那么我能取得什么成就呢"？因为身体健康的水平是很容易观察到的、也能测出来的，那么你很快就能看出来，你能够成为一个脱颖而出的人。几乎每天你都看到你的进步和成就。但要记住，所有的人都是不同的，有些人可能比另外一些人进行得快一些。归根结底，虽然健康的体魄不会保证你一定会延长寿命，但是健康的体魄有助于你享受有生之年的欢乐。