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Sep 19, 2017

Exercise can conjure up many images but really it just means to move. And to move is to be human. Just think about how we’ve evolved and it makes sense that our bodies have large groups of muscles to assist with movement and bones that need to bear weight to stay healthy. We also have a system that stores energy (as glycogen and fat) for when we need to use our muscles in a hurry such as when running from a sabre tooth tiger (it’s always a sabre tooth tiger!). Our bodies haven’t adapted to this new life that started a mere 250 years ago with the industrial revolution that now sees us moving far less as we drive everywhere, sitting at desks for long periods and using effort saving devices such as dish washers and washing machines. Our jobs have changed too. Work that includes manual labour and being on our feet are generally viewed as being less desirable and many of us have careers that exercise the brain rather than the body. And perhaps in evolutionary terms, seeking rest is innate, to prepare for the busy times in the day when we once were searching for food and firewood, building shelter and running from danger. But it can be easy to slip into a pattern of ease and indeed try to minimise exertion that paradoxically can result in harming our health rather than improving it.

So where does this leave us in the modern age when it comes to exercise? This week podcast hosts Claire and Andrew Davies discuss some of the many different kinds of movement and outline their own relationships with exercise. They approach this topic from very different angles - Andrew growing up with a heart condition that prevented him from participating in the sports he loved and Claire looking for any excuse to avoid exercise! Topics covered include goal setting, group vs individual training, high intensity vs more calming styles and the effects of exercise on overall quality of life.

 

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Couch to 5km app

Book "Born to Run" (by Christopher McDougall)

Rich Roll

 

Photo credit to Nathan T Dunn on Instagram @nathantdunn