HOW I KEEP FIT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3583, 6 January 1927, Page 4

HOW I KEEP FIT

(BY ANNETTE KELLER MAN). Do you know what it is to feel a hundred per cent, tit? I do. So I feel justified in giving- here my views on the ever vital question of health and how to obtain it. Physical culture and dietelies are frightening words to the average man and woman; they suggest cranks and faddists. But surely it is not faddy or cranky to have an idea of physical perfection. It is the niost natural thing in the world. Moreover, I am proud to -my perfect physical condition and my ability to work hard, because I know that I have myself created it. As a professional swimming expert, I naturally believe swimming to be the finest health-giving exercise. But few people have the time or the facilities for swimming Many have not got the time or the facilities for tennis, golf, or other sport. But every one can spare ten minutes out of the twenty-four hours to preform a few simple exercises; everyone can learn which foods are bad and which loods are good. The busy man or woman will say: “I ami too tired to get up earlier to do exercises, and certainly too tired to do them at the end of the day.” The point is that once the daily exercise habit is acquired, you will never feel tired. That “tired feeling” is the signal that you are only fifty per cent. tit.

In regard to food, I myself, eat no meat or white bread, drink no tea or coffee. Neither do I smoke or drink. And to these abstentions I attribute the fact that I do not know the meaning of nerves and never need a stimulant. I cannot expect every one to keep to such a rigorous diet.’ But I think that, as a rule, people eat too much, and eat wrong combinations of food. Meat and stewed fruits, for example, should certainly never be taken at the same meal.

Take meat once a day, and little at that. For breakfast I would suggest stewed fruit —not cooked with sugar, but sweetened afterwards with a little honey—weak tea, if you must drink tea, perhaps an egg. Personally, I find the juice of an orange more beneficial than a whole meal. I often do a hard day’s work on six oranges. Salad for lunch, and this need not be monotonous; there is no end to salad variety, if a little imagination be used.

If I had my way I would abolish afternoon tea. Nothing could be worse for the complexion and the health generally. I can assure you that after a time you would not miss it. For dinner one slice of meat only, with vegetables; but please not always the eternal potatoes and cabbage— the palate pines for variety. If you must have puddings, let there be as little sugar as possible. I am convinced that these simple exercise and diet rules form the foundation of good health. Give them a reasonable trial. If you are feeling off colour, and decide to get

yourself into condition, do not expect marvellous results at the end of a week. Give them three months, and I suggest start now!