"My rule is to break one sweat a day," says Mathew McConaughey, "whether that's going for a run, whether that's dancing, whether that's loving-just break a sweat a day." Without exercise, "I don't feel like my head works right," he says. -People Magazine, November 2005

When I read this a light bulb went off for me. Sometimes I get attached to what "working out" looks like. And, in the past, when I've felt like I won't be able to get in the whole regimen or routine on a certain day, I've often opted out or talked myself out of doing it. I love this philosophy. Ever since I read this, my approach to exercising has shifted. It's really about just breaking a sweat. Getting the heartbeat elevated, the blood pumping and rejuvenating our mind and body...

For instance, if I couldn't get my whole 30 minute run in or maybe didn't feel like doing a whole 30 minutes, I would decide not to do it at all. Now, I realize I will feel better on every level, even if I just go for a ten minute run/walk/yoga practice/stair master or whatever I feel like on that day.

I think this is a great principle to live by. Break a sweat a day. (And maybe take one day off, too.) It certainly has made my approach to exercise feel more manageable with this perspective and so much simpler...Read more