Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for February 02, 2018

“Seasonal Affective Disorder” – getting down just because it’s winter.

Aimless circles is a mere default. Go find some less aimless way to get your workout, if that’s too depressing. And anyway, being healthier and living longer is likely to give you a whole lot more back in terms of quality of life than simply an opportunity to exercise more.

(I speak as someone unfit and overweight during most of my working life, who’s broadly rectified both since retiring, and is thoroughly appreciating the difference. It’s well worth the effort to stay that way, IMO.)

Years ago – before I started running myself – a jogging friend of mine smugly told me that runners live at least six years longer than non-runners. I told him, “Yeah, but they spend all six years running.” He didn’t talk to me for a while.

There used to be a PSA on TV about cocaine use. A man was walking in circles, saying (in voiceover, I think), " I use cocaine to give me more energy. I need more energy to work harder. I work harder to make more money. I need more money for more cocaine…."

Friend of mine wanted to offer me an app that would get me to do some walking at least 10 minutes a day (yes, I am round, pudgy, fat…). I refused vehemently, saying that I would not be forced to do 10 minutes of walking a day. When she asked why I told him that I did four times that biking to and from work most day and I refused to go down to barely 10 minutes. Quite enjoyed the look on her face. All that to say, walking is boring. Unless you can bring a book with you. Instead of a boring walk use a bike, it keeps your brain engaged.

Years ago I read where a doctor did an unofficial (but published) study among his fellow med school graduates. He concluded that those that exercised lived longer by about the total time they spent exercising. Of course he made no comment re the quality of life differences that may (or may not) have existed between the two groups.

I’m strangely discouraged now

In the last panel, what is Janis doing with her hands behind her back?

So, are these new “bonus strips” just random strips from the past? If they are not directly related to the day’s strip, why bother having them? If we wanted random strips, we can always press the random button under the daily strip.

Circles are fine, walk clockwise today then counter tomorrow,, it’ll all look new. First it was the ankles, then a new knee, now three compressed lumbar vertebra! Dr told me to stop running. Just keep on trucking’ Janis !

Do Tai Chi. The only thing that becomes better the more you practice. You are always learning something new. Chen style, the original, has a huge curriculum. Harvard Medical School put out a large book on the benefits of Tai Chi. You feel like you’re accomplishing something with that time spent. I knocked out 4 miles the other day walking, & because of Tai Chi, the walking was not even a mild workout. Tai Chi makes you that strong. It is one of the few activities that becomes better with age.

I enjoy walking outside everyday. It feels good and I feel better the rest of the day.

Janis, don’t forget you make the day for many you pass — both coming and going.

A half day after this strip’s posting, with no comment on the meaning behind Janis’ comment in the fourth panel. Not a very educated or reflective bunch, we A&J readers be. That might well result in many of us ending up in hell.

And so it goes…

OK Janis. Dust the snow off your butt and get walking.

So, who won the Super Bowl? And more importantly, who won the annual bet between Arlo and Janis?