CHAPTER IX
WORK FOR THE FLESHY, THE THIN, THE OLD
While the endeavor has been made to point out the value of plain and simple exercise—for, in a later chapter, particular work will be designated which, if followed systematically and persistently, will correct many physical defects; substituting good working health and vigor for weakness; the reply may be made, "Yes, these are well enough for the young and active; but they will not avail a fleshy person; or a slim one; or one well up in years."
Let us see about this. Take, first, those burdened with flesh which seems to do them little or no good; and which is often a hinderance; dulling and slackening their energies; preventing them from doing much which they could; and which they believe they would do with alacrity, were they once freed from this unwelcome burden. There are some persons with whom the reduction of flesh becomes a necessity. They have a certain physical task to perform; and they know they cannot have either the strength or the wind to get through with it creditably, unless they first rid themselves of considerable superfluous flesh.
Take the man, for instance, who wants to walk a race of several miles; or to run, or row one. He has often heard of men getting their weight down to a certain figure for a similar purpose. He has seen some one
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