'In the blink of an eye all your problems will be exterminated'

DO you have cravings for chocolates and double-cheese pizza?

DO you want to reduce that pain in your back or in between your toes?

DO you want to control anger or stress?

ARE you between the age of 1 and 99?

Well, get off that couch and do some exercise.

Exercise is like an exterminator - it reduces all your problems in the blink of an eye and you'll have fun doing it.

Exercise doesn't have to be a hard gruelling challenge like you see on television - it can be relaxing or just fun, it can be a time for socialising with family or friends.

Exercise is important for your growth.

Exercise also improves the brain, people's memory and a child's learning ability.

I believe that the majority of people who do less or no exercise will be less active.

Exercise is very important to us Kiwis as it is compulsory for a child to take PE, or physical exercise, from primary school through to high school.

In a documentary, I saw that 5th graders in an American school had no form of physical fitness whatsoever. That American school also had relatively lower grades. Can you find a link?

I like exercise as a pastime or extra-curricular activity.

I do taekwondo as an extra-curricular sport and rock climbing as a pastime.

My mother says, "Why go to the doctor when you have exercise?" Don't you agree?

Tuljai Parkar, Year 11, Hillcrest High School