Doing the heavy lifting.

WHO? Greta Shepherd Stewart

WHAT? Executive Director

WHERE? Oklahoma Primary Care Association, Oklahoma City

WHEN? Since 1993

Q: What is your most important non-work-related activity?

A: I'm a woman on a mission in the area of self-care. I got serious about three years ago when I had to admit that if I didn't control my weight, improve my nutrition, and get in shape, I was bound for some serious health problems. I also had a difficult board member at the time. I guess I should thank him now for forcing me to find an outlet for stress. Workouts now have become critical to me--although I'll confess that once in a while when I'm dog tired, I'll reach the Y, gun my engine, and head for home.

Q: What are some of the frustrations of self-care?

A: I'm a feminist at heart, and I see how women take care of everyone else while paying no attention to ourselves. A colleague took this to such extremes that she ended up with walking pneumonia, and it was weeks before it was diagnosed. Similarly, a girlfriend with diabetes realized that after she dances, her blood sugar is much more in line. However, she prefers to go out dancing only with a date. I keep coaxing her to go out on a regular basis for herself, because exercise really helps manage diabetes.

Q: What kind of exercise schedule do you keep?

A: When possible, I participate in deep-water aerobics twice weekly. Since January, I've worked with a personal trainer twice weekly as well. I'm probably the oldest female weight trainer. But l have my "boyfriends" at the club who encourage me end tell me that I'm looking good.

Q: What advice do you have for others about diet and exercise?

A: My husband and I have gotten quite creative with our cooking. I'm learning to replace french fries with grilled seasonal vegetables. I love a rare steak, but after giving up red meat for Lent two years ago, we limit our red meat intake to once or twice a week.

As for exercise, it's much like keeping your car tuned up and driven regularly. We either use our bodies or lose them to ill health, disease, or worse. Bottom line: Find something you enjoy doing and get together with an exercise buddy. You are more likely to comply with your fitness routine when you know someone is expecting you. To manage daily stress, weight gain, and well-being, it's critical for busy executives to find a comfort level with exercise and stick with it. A critical but often overlooked component of leadership is self-care.