20 Questions for President George W. Bush: A Running Conversation . Many readers know that the current issue of Runner's World features President Bush. Maureen Dowd criticizes the President today about this interview and contrasts it with her perception of what he is not telling us about Iraq - Treadmills of His Mind. While I will not comment on the President and Iraq, I am impressed with his role modelling on exercise. We need more stress on healthy lifestyles. If the President helps a few people get off the couch and workout (and he probably will) then he has done well.

I will quote some of his answers and comment .

What’s your response to people who say they are too busy to have enough time to exercise?
I say they don’t have their priorities straight. These are the same people who say they don’t have enough time for their families. I don’t take that as an acceptable answer. I believe anyone can make time. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe it—I know it. If the President of the United States can make time, they can make time

Exercise is so important that corporate America should help their employees make time. Offer flex time. There should be flex time for families and there should be flex time for exercise. A healthy work force is a more productive work force. We have got to do a better job of encouraging that in America.

As I have said often, one should plan one's exercise week consistently. Stephen Covey's book - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - encouraged me to consider this philosophy. I like his book and was struck by the 7th Habit . A summary of the Habits - Summary of Stephen R. Covey's
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. They summarize the 7th habit thus

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Take time out from production to build production capacity through personal renewal of the physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Maintain a balance among these dimensions.

I subscribe to maintaining balance in my life, and espouse that philosophy to my residents, medical students and faculty. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It also leads to burnout. The President's exercise philosophy does not just strengthen the body, it also helps the mind. Exercising gives me a time to sort out ideas. It provides respite from the hassles of the day. After exercising, I have more energy to attack problems.

Finally, what do you view as the greatest health issue facing our nation?
Tobacco, bad food and lack of exercise. A lot of disease can be prevented. And I think you’ll see the health-care systems will evolve toward encouraging prevention. Wise business insurers will work with physical fitness folks to encourage reasonable exercise. Statistic after statistic is beginning to sink into the consciousness of the American people that exercise is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle.

One of my jobs as President is to set examples. I have an opportunity to send the message to the American people that I’m serious about exercising—and you should be too.

Bravo, clap hands, the President has it right. He does understand that the choices we each make about our lifestyle have profound effects on our longetivity and quality of life. I wish that smoking cessation was just a matter of will.

Physicians understand this message. On the VA inpatient wards, I estimate that over half the patients have serious diseases as a result of lifestyle choices - smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, alcohol abuse and former IV drug experimentation. These "choices" all effect insurance rates and contribute to the high cost of health care.

Can we make a difference? Certainly, we can influence one person at a time. We must discuss lifestyle choices regularly with our patients, our friends and our family. We must understand that our challenge never ends. We must search for the buttons to push that will allow people to make healthier choices. We must start by being role models - like the President.