BOOSTER SHOTS : Americans Are Pulling Their Weight

Look around and it’s plain to see Americans are carrying around more weight than ever. In spite of the extra flab though, Americans are surprisingly lifting more weights than ever, too, according to the Florida-based Fitness Products Council. Last year, the number of Americans who worked out with free weights rose to 42.8 million, making the activity the nation’s most popular form of exercise. Rounding out the top five were using stationary bikes or treadmills, going on fitness walks and running / jogging.

To Live Long, You Gotta Have Friends

Sure, it’s a top-rated television show with overpaid stars, but friends may also add years to your life. According to the Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource magazine, you can’t live as long without them. Yup, good pals help protect your body from the aging effects of stress and depression. A footnote for those having difficulty connecting to fellow humans: Pets are an acceptable substitute.

If It Was Good Enough for Them . . .

Not only did Moses, Daniel and Jesus have some revolutionary ideas for Western religion, but they also had terrific diets. So says Kathleen O’Bannon Baldinger in her new book, “The World’s Oldest Health Plan” (Bradley Media Publications, 1997). Apparently, the path to boundless energy and dietary salvation is through eating walnuts, dandelion greens, olives, parsley, beans and whole grains. The alternative medicine author also offers these two commandments:

* If God made it, eat it!

* If man made it, leave it alone!