He said, "The best exercise for the heart, Irwin, is reaching down and lifting others up."
I thought about and decided that, for me, it was definitely the way to go. Helping others strengthens our heart. Well, OK, maybe not medically-speaking, but it does serve to make us happier which, in turn, improves our health. It's a win-win. If you think about it, you can get your physical exercise this way, as well. Mucking out the kennels at the local animal shelter, restocking the shelves at your library, or helping build a house for a deserving family provide lots of hard work, but is far more enjoyable than lifting weights. And it benefits others as much as it does you. It's not a solitary acivity and the camaraderie is awesome...working together to imporove the world. What can be more fun, and uplifting, than that? So the next time you think up getting up off the couch to go to the gym, think about an alternative work-out, like lifting up someone (or something) and helping make the world a nicer place for us all. Your heart will thak you.