Move, or you might rust

DISCOVER YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY

While I’m entirely sympathetic to the desire to stay indoors during

the winter, preferably reading a can’t-put-it-down book, I venture to

guess too many of us really end up spending hours in front of the TV

watching the Golf or Home Shopping channels while working our way

through every known type of Dorito. I’m here to scold and cajole and

tell you we’d all be much better off if we dedicated some of those

hours to exercise.

So, when you’re next in town, walk briskly -- or even jog -- on

over to the library to check out these books, in addition to many

others, for some exercise inspiration. Among my suggested titles you

won’t find anything like “Ninja Extreme Sweat” or “The Navy Seal

Workout,” but the following, less rigorous offerings instead.

A good exercise session usually begins with limbering up the body,

and “The Modern Book of Stretching: Strength and Flexibility at Any

Age” contains gentle stretches designed to stimulate all the body’s

muscles and joints. The book’s instructions are easy to follow and

are accompanied by many photographs that illustrate the stretches.

“The Complete Book of T’ai Chi,” a beautifully illustrated and

informative book, also explains a calm, measured exercise method.

T’ai Chi, an ancient form of Chinese exercise, involves a set of

“moving meditations” and is famed for its physical and mental health

benefits.

Picking up the pace somewhat, there’s “Walking for Health: From

Age-Reversal to Weight Loss, the Most Complete Guide Ever Written.” A

look at this book’s table of contents offers a wealth of reasons why

walking is valuable exercise; it helps relieve arthritis pain,

stress, mild depression, high blood pressure and promotes good

posture and general cardiovascular health, to name only a few of its

benefits.

Finally, girls of all ages. If you’re looking to replace fat with

muscle, maintain healthy bones and improve your energy, “Strong Women

Stay Strong” is a book full of scientifically based strength training

basics for safe workouts.

The library is, of course, multi-media and not content to provide

only books. Exercise videos abound as well as helpful articles in

such magazines as “Health” and “Prevention.” The library has just the

right exercise resource to help you keep a trim, healthy and

pain-free body, so come on down and check it out.

* MARIANNA HOF is the Laguna Beach branch librarian.