Exercise is one aspect of health - while it is indeed valuable, I do think that many people (especially obsessive/highly-driven people) over-emphasize it. Sleep

Exercise is one aspect of health - while it is indeed valuable, I do think that many people (especially obsessive/highly-driven people) over-emphasize it. Sleep, relaxation, proper diet, healthy relationships and mental health are all as important. Hyperfocusing on one aspect of a a complex art strikes me as unwise. Intense exercise has real negative side-effects. Cardio, prolonged weight-lifting, and lack of proper R & R all release cortisol, which is completely counter-productive to most people's exercise goals - http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/losing-muscle-cortisol.html http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/losing-muscle-cort.... I've seen intense exercise stimulate people's appetites to the point where they make shitty eating decisions completely counteracting any benefits. And just anecdotally, a lot of gym rats seem tired or unfocused to me. Heavy exercise can make blood-pressure unnaturally low, which can lead to poor concentration and depression. I'm in the best shape of my life and exercise is an enjoyable part of my life more than a "Priority". I do two or three intense strength exercises (I have pullup bar and a compact rack of adjustable dumb-bells in a spare room) while I wait for the bathtub to fill - enough to get my heartrate going and work up a little perspiration. I take long walks (barefoot, but that's an issue for another day) and/or rollerblade while I listen to podcasts or music. I try to eat a lot of vegetables and limit my portions of everything else. "Work smart, not hard", as in many things.