Exercise is, without question, one of the most powerful tools you can use to help you achieve optimal health. It is my belief that it is virtually impossible to achieve without. You can't pay someone to do it for you. You simply must do it yourself.

It certainly is true for me as I am typically in front of my computer monitor for 10-16 hours a day and is one of the primary reasons why one of my highest priorities is to exercise regularly. Believe me I plan my schedule around my exercise, not the other way around. This way exercise is never crowded out due to schedule conflicts. It just needs to be a high priority if you are going to do it.

Fortunately even light exercise can make a world of difference to the health of these rats.

But as one scientist wisely pointed out in this study, there's one major difference between rats and humans. Putting an exercise wheel in a small cage will entertain and boost the physical and mental health of rats, because they will use it. But buying an exercise bike or a health club membership doesn't mean you'll ever get around to using it.

If your goal is to optimize your health, starting an exercise program is just as important as retooling your diet. To get you headed in the right direction, try viewing exercise like a drug that needs to be prescribed precisely to achieve the most benefits.

The key to exercising effectively is to make sure the variables below are properly addressed. By doing so, you will ensure all your hard efforts are not wasted and are having a positive effect on your body. To aid you in your exercise efforts, there are three important variables to keep in mind: