Change the oil regularly, maintain good tire pressure, go in for regular check-ups, don’t floor the gas pedal, and refrain from Daytona style turns around the neighborhood.  Every time you talk to someone who's automobile, whether a truck, car, van, motorcycle, etc. last for two hundred thousand plus miles they will all say the same thing: “I took good care of it.” 

This care wasn’t just for one day….it was every day.  Sure, there were pot holes along the way and sometimes you took a turn too hard or let the oil get to 6,000 miles before changing it but on a regular basis you took the necessary preventative measures to maximize the life of that car.  Why did you do this?  A couple things come to mind:

1. Pride – Just the satisfaction of having a clean well-tuned automobile brings a sense of accomplishment.  You simply enjoy the fact that your paint job is scratch free by staying away from narrow spaces or vacuuming out between the cracks under the seat.  Self satisfaction…nothing more.

2. Save Money – By taking care of the car you own…you won’t have to buy another one!  Yearly maintenance on any car or truck cannot match the cost of taking out a loan for a new one.  A higher insurance rate for a newer, more expensive car is also a drawback.  It is just cheaper to take care of the one you got.

3. Drive Safe – Obeying the rules of the road is boring but the car is more protected.  Not taking significant risks, such as going 100 mph to make it to work every day, just makes sense.  Leave a little earlier or make your lunch the night before.  Be prepared and be smart. 

4. Keep it Moving – Have you ever let a car sit outside through scorching heat and piles of snow and sleet?  What happens?  It falls apart.  All the hoses, gears, and lubricants can breakdown simply because nothing is moving.  The car needs motion to keep going. 

So, how does this apply to exercise?  Why would I spend so much time characterizing a car? 

Simple, we are really no different than cars except when something breaks down there are no easy replacement parts and you can’t go buy a new one. 

It is true, some people just have better genetics, their parts just seem to last longer and are less prone to problems.  But just because your car may not be the best out there is no excuse for not taking care of it!  In today’s world, the only way an individual can SAVE MONEY in respects to health care is not utilize it by being healthy.  Taking PRIDE in your health, such maintain a good weight, diet, and exercise regiment will get thousands or more miles out of the machine.  Ignoring all the warning signs out there, such as eating fast food three times a day is bad or when a small medical problem starts you ignore it is NOT SAFE.  Finally, if thinking because the human car is tired and just doesn’t want to go out for a walk 20 minutes a day is an excuse it is not.  YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING!!!  Ends of bones will dry up, cardiovascular system can get sluggish and clogged, and muscles that were support good function will fall apart, resulting in daily pain that has no end. 

Remember, you can’t go and buy another “car”…take care of yourself and the rest will take care of itself.