To begin, find out your current level of "macrocosm fitness". Select the answer that most closely matches your situation:
1. Your running shoes are:
a. Somewhere in the back of your closet--you think--but everything is so cluttered you're not sure.
b. Right next to the door.
c. Either next to the door, or under the bed, or behind the sofa or . . .
2. When you step into your house after coming home from work, you feel:
a. Calm and relaxed. Your home is a true sanctuary.
b. Maybe a bit frazzled by kids, dogs, and the crisis du jour, but basically happy to be home.
c. So overwhelmed by general chaos--dirty dishes, clothes scattered on the floor, etc.--frankly, it's a relief to go to work.
3. While driving to work, your boss calls and asks if you could swing by the airport and pick up an important client. After you hang up, you:
a. Have to pull off by the side of the road to get rid of all the empty coffee cups, junk-food wrappers, and soda cans that litter the interior.
b. Dust off the dog's blanket in the airport parking lot, and offer a quick apology to the client when she enters.
c. Recall that the client is from Denver, and make a note to ask her about her city's great restaurants, museums, and natural attractions.
4. You've just had a very hectic day at the office. When you get home, you find the noise and general chaos level is at red--the television blares, the video games bleep, the kids squabble over who ate the last chocolate-chip cookie. You are most likely to:
a. Take an aspirin or a glass of wine and get started on dinner.
b. Inform your family that you need a time-out, and then spend a good 20 minutes decompressing in the part of your home where everyone knows they can't disturb you.
c. Turn off the electronics and tell your kids that if they aren't quiet, there will be no more cookies, ever.
5. If the health police were to raid your kitchen, they'd:
a. Award you a good-citizen award after finding your refrigerator and pantry filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
b. Issue you a warning for those potato chips and frozen pizzas.
c. Wrap yellow tape around your cupboard and refrigerator doors, declaring the entire area a health hazard.
6. Your bank calls to say they've noticed an inconsistency on your statement and just want to double-check that no one's stealing your identity. You:
a. Ask if they can hold the line--you just need a little time to find your statements.
b. Tell them you'll have to call them back. Finding all your bank records could take half the day.
c. Grab the folder that contains all your bank statements.
7. A tornado blows through your hometown, knocking out the power. You:
a. Know exactly where the flashlight, candles, radio, and batteries are.
b. Would probably find the flashlight--but can't say for sure that the batteries work.
c. Are sitting in the dark.
8. Your definition of "getting back to nature" is:
a. Having the hostess seat your party in the garden.
b. Taking a walk in the park on a regular basis.
c. Spending at least a week in a secluded place where there are no phones, televisions, or Internet access.
9. How much time do you spend outside?
a. You walk, run, or bike almost every day, at least in good weather.
b. Basically none. You commute more than 1⁄2 hour, which is why you never get outside during the week and have trouble fitting in the exercise. Or your neighborhood is so unsafe (traffic, violence) that you take your life in your hands to go outside.
c. You walk, bike, or run outside a couple of times a week.
10. You are exposed to cigarette smoke:
a. Whenever you take your smoke break.
b. Whenever you go to a party or your husband lights his cigars.
c. Hardly ever. You don't smoke and don't really know anyone who does.
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Fitness Assessments are reprinted with permission from Fit to Live by Pam Peeke. Copyright 2007 by Pamela Peeke, MD. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc. Emmaus, PA 18098. Available at the Discovery Store, directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735, or wherever books are sold.
