A QUICK TIME OUT...to answer your probing health and fitness questions

Just to finally put to rest that Bear is always joking around and never serious (blasphemous charge, of course...which of necessity will require severe punishment, in the form of a severe tongue-lashing*),

We thought this would be a good time for Bear to answer some of the probing questions asked by readers concerning health and fitness. The questions and Bear's thoughtful and carefully crafted responses follow:

Enjoy, and GOOD HEALTH to you all!

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Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it. Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually.

Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn, and what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.

Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).
And a pork chop can give you 100 percent of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A GASP! No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine. That means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way.
Beer is also made out of grain. Ale too. Vodka? Potatoes...another veggie. Veggies are HEALTH food.

So, Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.
If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!
Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO ......
Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure,
explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

Thanks, and please stay tuned. Next, Bear will attempt to answer some probing questions about nuclear physics. Right, Bear?

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Okay. He is doing research right now, but...

(*NOTE: IT IS TIME TO ADMINISTER YOUR PUNISHMENT: Please present yourselves forthwith...and in order for the tongue-lashing to be most effective, we request a list of your most TICKLISH spots.)