The Jehovah's Witnesses' biblical version of 1 Timothy 4:8 reads, "For bodily training is beneficial for a little; but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come."

They believe in the benefits of moderate exercise but acknowledge what some health experts say — there are detrimental effects to excessive exercise. Some people can also become fanatical about missing even one day of intensive exercise.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had its "Word of Wisdom," health guidelines believed to be given by revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833 (Doctrine and Covenants 89). It stresses balance and prudence in life, in addition to avoiding substances harmful for the body (tobacco, drugs, etc.).

Joseph Smith taught that it is the will of God that man should repent and serve him in health, and in the strength and power of his mind ("Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith").

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve wrote in a 1987 Ensign magazine article:

"Many people, including me, have difficulty finding the time for sufficient rest, exercise and relaxation. We must schedule time on our daily calendars for these activities if we are to enjoy a healthy and balanced life. Good physical appearance enhances our dignity and self-respect."

Kenneth H. Cooper, 73, who launched a worldwide fitness and aerobic revolution decades ago and earned the title "the father of preventive medicine," told the Dallas Morning News in November that faith and divine intervention led him to his emphasis on health.

Many world-renowned religious leaders have sought out his fitness advice, and Cooper believes that's good because they are often among the least physically fit of his patients.

He said he challenges pastors all the time to lose weight, asking how they can glorify God in body and spirit if they are 50 pounds overweight.

Cooper says people must be both spiritually and physically fit to know the real joy of living.

Getting regular medical checkups, including having one before starting an exercise routine after a lengthy time of inactivity, is advisable, too.

Some of Cooper's other advice on physical fitness:

• Realize that the older you are the longer it takes to get into shape. Also, age means you lose fitness faster if you stop exercising.

• Fitness is not a destination but rather a journey. It must continue for a lifetime.

• Warm up before exercise and cool down afterward for at least five minutes.

• No amount of exercise can totally protect a person against coronary heart disease. Running more than 15 miles a week means you are running for something more than overall fitness.

• Crosscountry skiing, swimming, jogging, cycling, running and walking are the top aerobic exercises. Weight-lifting and muscle-building should be done in conjunction with, not in place of, aerobics.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com