Evening star., 1902-07-31
WOMEN AND EXERCISE.
They Will Not Keep Up Regimen as
Men Do.

VASu OO
IAN article in The Star recently on the
| new tension method of muscle building
reminds me of the ever consuming desire
of the ladies who are thin to become fieshy,
| and of the corresponding disinclination to
indulge in the exercise which will produce
this happy result said a well-known
Washington physician this morning.
"a thin, enemic man who is in earnest to
build up his health and round out his
muscles will undertake and faithfully pur-
sue any prescribed method to this end. If
he is earnest he will stop drinking limit his
cigars and take his regular daily allotment
Of exercise whether it be boxing, rowing,
gymnastics or the muscle tension method
giving attention to his diet and denying
himself such luxuries. or what he may
have considered only necessaries, as his
trainer OF physician may direct. In short
a man will buckle down to training when
he makes up his mind to do SO with the re-
suit that in a short time he takes on
fl sh, his step becomes elastic, his eye
b. :ght, his complexion clear and his appe-
tite good, features of our being as keenly
desired by the fair sex as by us.
"Once man 'swears Off and determines
to build himself up it is the exception
rather tan the rule that he backslides in
to his 70 -mer habits. careless or dissipated,
the case may be. He learns with his
renewed strength and practical reviyifica-
tion of his youth that a carelesSly lived or
sporting life does not pay and he gives at
tention to the size of his biceps when he
bends his elbow rather than looking into
the glass that cheers For nervousness, the
great disease of the rapid age in which we
live, IL the patient will only abstain from
coffee and spirituous liquors, not drinking
more than two bottles of ale, or three bot
ties of beer, and these at meals, or on re-
firing a day, a systematic method of mild
exercise will make a new man out of some
men in a month.
"Women could likewise build I'D their
cyyoSoy fya Hna how
remain faithful to the prescribed regimen.
allowing for the difference in the organic
and muscular systems of the sexes. The
stomach seems to be about the first organ
to respond to the new blood and stimula ted
general bodily activity resulting from mild
exercise properly directed, and the .appe-
tite seems better and it is rapidly declared
to be decidedly better With a quickened
appetite the rest is easy, and remains on'r
a question of time and faithfulness to t..
method undertaken.
Ladies, however. cannot bear the
thought of exercise to produce good color
and good health. I suppose the secret is
because it is too much like labor against
which the sex is constitutionally opposed
except as an involuntary means of earning
living. Men will exercise from the pure
love OF being busy and occupied. but the
fair sex, alas no. Hence, they will take
our prescriptions without a murmur, pay
shake their pretty heads when We suggest
suitable exercise to assist nature in getting
the upper hand of encroaching disease, or
merely make pretense at 1t, If consent
ing.
Perhaps an excuse may be found for the
disinclination noted because Of their past
and present environment. Some like to
play golf, but 1t Is mainly because of the
novelty of the game and an opportunity to
display a variety of costumes. 1t is anus
Ing to hear our patients reply to our en-
treaties to take exercise by saying in very
much injured tones. why, doctor. go to
the golf links three times a week but
their innate modesty prevents the admis-
sion that they get no farther than the ve-
fanda OF the club house. or make show
of playing by being in the gallery brigade
meaning those who follow the boys and
girls who really chase the white ball over
the green Sward
Women could bring the much coveted
flush OF the rose to their white or salIow
cheeks If they but possessed strength of
will to let bon bons alone, cut out carriage
rides and substitute walks. abandon late
suppers and fatiguing social functions for
few months under the careful and
direct guidance of q trainer or ply
sician, but they won't They could go al
1t again with renewed zest, pleasure and
vigor IL they only would.