what is exercise anyway

I have always been somewhat of an exercise rebel, never had much of a weight problem, lost weight fairly easy after having my babies, and have never been highly motivated to work myself to a sweat. But alas, I have (within a year or 2) hit the age of 40 where it has been said that things just go downhill from there. I have, espeically as of late, felt a little guilty as I have watched other people exercise, as I see my neighbors out walking or running, and wonder if I can count running in and out of the house to the car and back again, or running of the mouth as I talk on the phone, and surely it burns a few calories to chew those chocolate chip cookies and M&Ms. I used to be able to get myself up at 0:dark thirty and go for a brisk walk with my friends, but after too many summer night phase-10 tournaments with my children, I couldn't quite bring myself to get up that early. I have tried night walking, but without a partner I am bored to tears. So I resorted to asking my family who would like the pleasure of accompanying me on a walk. The reply from everyone, husband included, was wondering if this was an exercise walk. Then they were gone faster than Superman and I was left on my own. Well, I couldn't leave and miss out on everything and the popcorn had my middle name written all over it and I found myself exerciseless (is that a word?) for yet another day, vowing to do better tomorrow. Maybe someday I will be hit with the exercise bug, but for now, I will stand on the sidelines and cheer the neighbors on, watch my kids run around bases, drive them to gymnastics, and feed my son's high school cross country team breakfast, and then go sit down with a good book.