Does driving count as exercise? Tom and Ray weigh in.

Dear Tom and Ray:

I wonder if you can settle an ongoing dispute that I have with my wife. She is an avid walker and an exercise freak. She wants me to join her on these power walks and different exercise activities. I constantly tell her that I get plenty of exercise by driving. I drive to work and back, about 20 miles each way, and frequently am driving on shopping excursions, sometimes 50 miles at a crack. I tell my wife that driving engages all the muscles around the arms, neck, shoulders and head. Additionally, it is beneficial to brain, hand, leg-and-eye coordination, and developing the whole body, as well as the mind. After a good bout of driving, I feel as healthy and refreshed as my wife does after one of her power walks. She insists that I am being delusional about the whole thing and need to put on my walking shoes. What do you think?
-- Jack

Ray: Well, Jack, we're with you 100 percent. The only thing your exercise drives are missing are the large Genoa salamis and the double-chocolate milkshakes.

Tom: Remember, nothing builds strong muscles and bones like a good drive to the mall. But diet is important, too. In order to keep the blood flowing, your arteries need those cured, fatty meats and full-fat dairy products.

Ray: And don't forget to put the electric windows down and up a few times during each drive. You'd hate to end up with the body of Adonis, only to have a weak tip of your left index finger.

(Car Talk is a nationally syndicated column by automotive experts (and brothers) Tom and Ray Magliozzi. Write to them at the Car Talk Web site.)