Fit to be President

The American public went from "curious" to nearly "obsessed" with Barack Obama in the months leading up to his historic inauguration. With the press following every move he made, many of us were surprised to be suddenly introduced to the "presidential pecs" as the paparazzi splashed more than a few shots of a "buff" Barack Obama, across the pages of the tabloids while the President-elect vacationed with his family in his home state of Hawaii-removing any doubt that this man makes it a priority to stay fit and ready for anything.

It is often said that the demands of the Presidency ages a man disproportionately during his time in office. Yet one of the more interesting moments of the inauguration featured five living presidents standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the nation's Capitol. From President Obama at 47 (the youngest amongst them), to George Bush the son and Bill Clinton, both 62 years of age, and to Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, both 84 years old. While it is true that former President Clinton underwent bi-pass surgery in 2004, they otherwise all seemed remarkably strong, vibrant, vigorous, and healthy despite the fact that these 5 men have endured the pressure and stress of having all been at one time, the leader of the free world.

There are many factors to which they can attribute their good fortune but if these five men are any example of what is required of a leader, it is clear that he or she must be prepared and capable of physically withstanding the rigorous demands of being top dog, whether it be the leader of a country, or a household. In either case, remaining so isThe American public went from "curious" to nearly "obsessed" with Barack Obama in the months leading up to his historic inauguration. With the press following every move he made, many of us were surprised to be suddenly introduced to the "presidential pecs" as the paparazzi splashed more than a few shots of a "buff" Barack Obama, across the pages of the tabloids while the President-elect vacationed with his family in his home state of Hawaii-removing any doubt that this man makes it a priority to stay fit and ready for anything.

It is often said that the demands of the Presidency ages a man disproportionately during his time in office. Yet one of the more interesting moments of the inauguration featured five living presidents standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the nation's Capitol. From President Obama at 47 (the youngest amongst them), to George Bush the son and Bill Clinton, both 62 years of age, and to Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, both 84 years old. While it is true that former President Clinton underwent bi-pass surgery in 2004, they otherwise all seemed remarkably strong, vibrant, vigorous, and healthy despite the fact that these 5 men have endured the pressure and stress of having all been at one time, the leader of the free world.

There are many factors to which they can attribute their good fortune but if these five men are any example of what is required of a leader, it is clear that he or she must be prepared and capable of physically withstanding the rigorous demands of being top dog, whether it be the leader of a country, or a household. In either case, remaining so is no small feat.

Whether you are old enough to remember Jimmy Carter as the devoted outdoorsman who wrote "An Outdoor Journal" (he is reported to continued jogging until the age of 80) or the secret service jogging along side President Clinton or George W. Bush, we have to ask: Is it a coincidence that these men, who certainly had full agendas every day, found it important to take the time to exercise for an hour several times per week and now appear to enjoy a high quality of life in their later years? I think not! The lesson being that if the demands of the office of President of the United States is not enough to keep a man from exercising, then there really is no excuse for the rest of us. And if these men can attribute their longevity at least in part, to staying physically active well into their later years, again, so might we!

George H. W. Bush said recently, that to celebrate his upcoming 85th birthday, he plans a repeat performance of the skydiving jump he took to celebrate his 80th birthday. I say...........go for it George!