Insights from the Editor

I am part of a small (and perhaps strange) minority of people who actually enjoy running. When non-runners learn about my passion, they sometimes seem slightly apologetic--as though they have this nagging feeling that they too should be hitting the trails but for whatever reason aren't.

If you fall into that category, here's some good news: Other activities may be even better for you--and easier to stick with.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen divided 65 subjects--all of them women ages 19 to 47--into three groups: One learned to play soccer for two hours a week; the second ran for two hours a week; and the third did neither. After 16 weeks, the soccer players had greater improvements than the runners in measures of fitness such as maximum oxygen uptake, muscle mass of the legs, and sprinting speed.

Perhaps most important, the soccer players were more likely than the runners to continue their activity after the study was over. The reason is motivation: Runners cited health benefits as the impetus for their exercise, while the soccer players were motivated by the opportunity to join others in the group and have fun.

The research offers two lessons (and no, one of them is not that everyone needs to run out and join a soccer league). First, running is by no means the only way, or necessarily the best way, to stay fit. If you like it, then great. But if not, don't feel you're a slacker. And second, exercise has to be enjoyable. If you're doing it only because you feel you must, you're far less likely to continue over the long term.

There are all kinds of ways to be physically active and have fun. Watch these videos to learn about just a few: waltzing, tai chi, kickball, belly dancing, sword fighting, and self defense.

So if you're discouraged because you can't bring yourself to pound the pavement or hit the gym, don't fret. Instead, just find something you enjoy--and get moving.