Exercise in a Pill?

I heard the recent news reports about being able to avoid regular exercise but still remaining fit by taking a pill. To me, it seemed like I must be reading The Onion; this couldn't possibly be true, could it? But the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. No more early mornings, dragging my tired body out of bed before dawn to go walking in the dark. Goodbye to heavy breathing and a pounding heart. Enough of the red face as I struggle up a steep hill. And farewell to sweating like a pig. (I never was one of those dainty women who glisten.) How great this could be!

Yet even as I ticked off a long list of positives (no more nearly getting run over by eager motorists!), I began to think a little wistfully of things I might miss. No more having the streets to myself, listening to the birds (and an occasional rooster!) I hear when there's less traffic. No longer would I see the sunrise in all its pink and purple glory as I crest that hill. I don't want to say "so long" to the feeling of accomplishment that I've walked more miles before work than most people do all day. And I think I'd even miss the sweat, because it helps me realize how hard I've worked doing something good for my body and my overall health.

Soon I expect to see an article refuting that study, proving that you can't skip the work required to get fit simply by popping a pill. But until then, I'll be content with doing things the old-fashioned way: putting one foot in front of the other and walking my way to health.