The path to becoming the president of the United States is a rigorous road. There are so many steps involved and tasks you need to do as well just to become a candidate. Once you've entered office the responsibility is enormous, making this one of the toughest jobs one can hold. That's why it's crucial for presidents the develop and maintain a healthy routine.
"The most successful people have structured routines – and for good reason. Structured routines make you more productive and effective," lifehack.org reported. Perhaps that's why some of your favorite leaders developed unique and sometimes quirky rituals, that you are about to learn.
Herbert Hoover Created His Own Sport
Herbert Hoover was the 31st president of the United States. He replaced Calvin Coolidge on March 4, 1929, and would continue his job through 1933. Herbert made a conscious effort to make sure he routinely exercise.
"Getting daily exercise to keep physically fit is always a problem for presidents," he once noted. That's why he made up his own game with his physician Joel T. Boone called Hooverball. It was basically a tennis/volleyball mash up. Hoover took part in this game six days of the week.
Truman Ate A Balanced Breakfast
Living a healthy lifestyle isn't easy, especially when it comes to diet. There are so many foods out there that aren't conducive towards healthful living it's ridiculous. Perhaps that's why Harry Truman made sure his diet was one that could keep him wearing suits bought in 1935 as he once said.
Once sworn in, Truman embraced dietary discipline. "I eat no bread, but one piece of toast at breakfast, no butter, no sugar, no sweets," he wrote in a 1952 diary entry. He also always had a half a glass of skimmed milk for breakfast.
John Quincy Adams Was A Morning Man
There are proven studies that show how beneficial morning workouts can be. For example, they help prevent weight gain and assist in receiving a full night's sleep later on. John Quincy Adams was no stranger to the benefits of being the early bird.
Adams had a pretty solid ritual going for him. He would wake up at five, take a cold bath, then do a six-mile walk all before breakfast. That's a pretty amazing way to start your day.
Let The Man Walk
Today you'll see POTUS exit his Cadillac limo-SUV hybrid (nicknamed The Beast) and walk thirty steps to Air Force One. But back in the late 1850s, this wasn't the case. As for the 15th President of the United States James Buchanan, he made sure he walked whenever he could.
"I doubt whether Mr. Buchanan used his coach and horses more than a dozen times a year, except during the summer," wrote James Buchanan Henry, the President's nephew, and secretary. He also preferred to walk because it allowed him to greet his friends.
The Active Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt wasn't one to be sedentary. His lifestyle was full of activity. These activities included boxing, hiking, rowing, and judo. Roosevelt was actually the first American to secure a brown belt in judo. His only ritual was to be sure he got in a few hours of exercise.
"While in the White House I always tried to get a couple of hours' exercise in the afternoons—sometimes tennis, more often riding, or else a rough cross-country walk," he wrote in his autobiography.
Eating Clean With Howard Taft
Did you know that William Howard Taft was the "heaviest president of all time?" That's not a secondary title you should be proud of and thankfully, Taft wasn't. At his heaviest, he weighed 340 pounds and that's what forced him to improve his eating habits.
Taft eliminated potatoes, salmon, bread, wine, tobacco, and fatty meats like pork. He ended up losing 70 pounds and kept it that way until he passed away. "I can truthfully say that I never felt any younger in all my life," he told the New York Times.
Coolidge Got Mechanical
Even though Calvin Coolidge grew up in rural Vermont, he was allergic to real horses. That must have been a pain to deal with, but Coolidge still turned out fine if you ask us. Instead of dealing with real horses, he came up with a healthy alternative in 1925.
Coolidge ended up acquiring an electronic mount. It was like a modern bull-riding machine but was ultimately a calorie-burner. Coolidge could set it to trot or full gallop depending on his mood.
Have A Swim
When the year 1921 came rolling around, Franklin Roosevelt was reduced to using a leg brace while walking, due to polio. However, Roosevelt's legs could still support his body weight under water. In came a new ritual.
Three times a week, Roosevelt would swim in a pond or a private pool. He saw spectacular results from this such as improved strength in his arms, lower back and stomach. He also recalled "continuous improvement" in his knees and feet.
The Power Of Golf
President Dwight Eisenhower used golf to his advantage. During his presidency, Eisenhower teed off for 800 rounds of golf. Golfing helped Eisenhower recover from a heart attack he suffered in 1955. Not only that, but the sport assisted in his political campaign in a major way as well.
He needed a way to reassure the people he was still healthy with the next election coming up. Soon enough, golfing became a routine for Eisenhower as he won in a landslide that upcoming November.
Everyone Needs A Nap
For Lyndon Johnson, presidential days were long. They started around 6:30 AM and wouldn't end until after midnight. The guy had a lot going on, but those types of hours don't exactly spell out a balanced lifestyle. His solution was a post-lunch nap.
To make it more comfortable for himself, Johnson would shed his clothes during this hour nap. "The only way to relax," he said, “is to peel off all your clothes and make believe you're going to bed for the evening.” Once the nap was done, he went on about his day rejuvenated.
Carter Is Pretty Active
Up until he was 80, Jimmy Carter was an avid runner. He had to give that up thanks to his knees giving up on him. Thankfully, he had surgery for two new knees and those have helped him out a lot.
"I have two new knees and those have worked well," Carter said. "Now I swim regularly at home and when I travel. I'm active around the house and with painting and woodworking." It's great to know he still stays active after all these years.
Reagan Worked All Muscles
After Ronald Reagan had an attempt at his life back in 1981, he had to switch things up for his own good. As part of therapy, he added a gym routine to his lifestyle and he said, "doctors say I am now in better shape than when I came to the White House."
Not only that, but he was sure to avoid a mistake many people make when they go to the gym. Reagan made sure he had a well-rounded routine working all of the muscle groups. "[Most] people don't realize it, but you can overdevelop a set of muscles at the expense of other muscles and thus reduce flexibility, so it’s important that the routine you develop be well-rounded," Reagan said.
Clinton Drove The Secret Service Crazy With This
When the White House has to organize a "straggler van" just for your jogging expeditions, you are a certified running man. Bill Clinton jogged up to three days in a week. He would do so in public places as well and that would drive the Secret Service crazy.
He would take these jogs either with a congressman or two others. They sometimes would find themselves not being able to keep up with Clinton. This is why the "straggler van" came about.
George W. Stayed Active
"Running helps me set goals and push myself towards those goals," George W. Bush once said. “In essence, it keeps me young. Plus, I just look and feel better.” Bush even completed the Houston Marathon in 1993. Then knee pain forced the man to switch up his routine.
After experiencing knee, Bush decided to switch it up and add cycling to his exercise routine. He soon developed a reputation for slipping away to have fun with a ride whenever he could find a chance.
The 44th Likes To Get Physical
"You'll have to exercise or at some point, you’ll just break down," Obama told Moneyball author Michael Lewis. This quote is why Obama started his days in the White House with 45 minutes of cardio or weight training.
The public knows he likes to play basketball as well. Obama said his favorite court to use was the FBI's because it was smaller in size which was better for his older age. He could still pour in some points, however.
Jefferson Needed The Afternoon Clear
For those of you who enjoy working out, is there a specific time of the day you enjoy doing it more than others? Some people like to wake up and take their exercise bright and early while others wait until later in the day to pump some iron.
For Thomas Jefferson, he enjoyed the afternoon sweat. He liked to "leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading."
Keep Those Feet Moving!
Our first president had a fun type of routine he loved to engage in. Its something that only some are good at, but everyone is capable of. Without any video footage, one can only wonder how great a dancer George Washington was.
He used to dance all the time during his teen years. He came to look at it as an important interaction as he called it "the gentler conflict." We like to think that many others feel the same way Washington did.
Get Your Strikes
When President Truman was in office, he received a birthday gift in the form of a bowling alley. A two-lane bowling alley was constructed in the West Wing of the White House in 1947. It was later shut down and the space was repurposed.
President Richard Nixon really enjoyed bowling and so did the first lady. When he entered the White House, the couple had a one-lane alley built and paid for by friends. That gave Nixon and his wife the freedom to bowl some strikes whenever they had the chance while at home.
Early Rise, Little Sleep, And No Breakfast
Donald Trump is a man of ritual and stands boldly in his conviction. When it comes to rest, he likes to keep an "advantage" over those who sleep long hours. Trump only gets 4 hours of sleep maximum saying, "How does somebody that's sleeping 12 and 14 hours a day compete with someone that's sleeping three or four?"
Whenever he decides to rest is up to him, but he always wakes up at 5:30 AM. Finally, he will skip breakfast.
The Hobby Of Kings
Tons of people have hobbies they enjoy even when others don't see the point of it. One of these hobbies would be collecting US postal stamps. If you collect stamps, don't worry, we're not holding it against you because Gerald Ford was fond of this act as well.
He may not have been around to see his face grace some stamps in 2007, but he was one of the many heads of state across the world who liked to contribute to "hobby of kings."
