What is the role of the United States in the new century?

November 10, 1999

Several people, including our host Ron Naples, whose burden it was to introduce this lecture, have asked me what exactly I meant to discuss this evening inasmuch as my title was hopelessly vague. That, I confess, was by design, so as to leave me free to say pretty much whatever was on my mind, come November 10, about U.S. foreign relations at the turn of the century. And it seemed to me that I could take any of three approaches. I might, for instance, choose to look backward, reviewing the evolution of American diplomacy and suggesting what lessons to draw from it. That approach would have put me on safe ground, but I rejected it because to talk history would just give you all an excuse not to read my latest book.

take five to 10 minutes to warm up and cool down properly.

plan to start slowly and boost your activity level gradually unless you are already exercising frequently and vigorously.

be aware that training too hard or too often can cause overuse injuries like stress fractures, stiff or sore joints and muscles, and inflamed tendons and ligaments. sports prompting repetitive wear and tear on certain parts of your body — such as swimming (shoulders), jogging (knees, ankles, and feet), tennis (elbows) — are often overuse culprits, too. a mix of different kinds of activities and sufficient rest is safer.

listen to your body. hold off on exercise when you're sick or feeling very fatigued. cut back if you cannot finish an exercise session, feel faint after exercise or fatigued during the day, or suffer persistent aches and pains in joints after exercising.

if you stop exercising for a while, drop back to a lower level of exercise initially. if you're doing strength training, for example, lift lighter weights or do fewer reps or sets.

for most people, simply drinking plenty of water is sufficient. but if you're working out especially hard or doing a marathon or triathlon, choose drinks that replace fluids plus essential electrolytes.

choose clothes and shoes designed for your type of exercise. replace shoes every six months as cushioning wears out.

for strength training, good form is essential. initially use no weight, or very light weights, when learning the exercises. never sacrifice good form by hurrying to finish reps or sets, or struggling to lift heavier weights.

exercising vigorously in hot, humid conditions can lead to serious overheating and dehydration. slow your pace when the temperature rises above 70°f. on days when the thermometer is expected to reach 80°f, exercise during cooler morning or evening hours or at an air-conditioned gym. watch for signs of overheating, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, faintness, cramps, or palpitations.

dress properly for cold-weather workouts to avoid hypothermia. depending on the temperature, wear layers you can peel off as you warm up. don't forget gloves.