There is so much talk about dieting and so little actual belief in value of activity today. We humans were not designed to be still for long periods of time. Instead, we were designed for physical work to take care of our basic needs. For centuries this activity was necessary all day, everyday, so much so that one day of week was designated for rest. Now, we rest, or perform little physical activity, six days a week and try to be active one day a week. This lifestyle is due to our information-based culture. Very few of us get paid for doing something that requires physical effort. Our bodies are capable of so much more than they are being asked to do.
Our culture needs to gradually reconnect our bodies with more physical effort to build strength and increase daily activity. For some, this is very difficult. Our jobs require non-movement. We work in cubicles in front of computers. We aren't lazy, but we are tired, mostly from being sedentary. Non-movement leads to even less movement. That's because your body gets good at whatever you require it to do. So guess what? If you are inactive you get really good at it. As a result, our lifestyles restrict our diets, cause us to feel depressed and some of us will become angry, have short attention spans and gain weight.
Increased activity causes your blood to circulate throughout your body all the way to your brain. You need your heart to beat fast and have a strong stroke volume, you need blood to flow through your liver to detoxify itself, you need sweat to come out of your pores to achieve good health.
As individuals, families, companies, communities and even as a country, we all need to get our bodies back into a condition that is healthy both mentally and physically. The best anti-depressant is a leisurely walk. We are not talking about running a marathon (26.2 miles) in a single morning; but we are talking about walking a marathon distance every week. You can easily build up your conditioning so that you can walk three-to-five miles five or six days a week. Guess what again. Thats about a marathon distance every week.
How do you get started? Easy. Walk a mile a day for the first month. You will most likely get some distraction or complication in your schedule so if you miss a day or two, your training will be perfect because you need an occasional day off. But if you don't plan for activity everyday, you will miss more than you should. Now, I said walk, not run. Don't be in a hurry. Is a mile too far? It takes 15-20 minutes. If you feel that much is too difficult, start with a half-mile and work up.
Be sure you have shoes that are supportive and not too small. Try to find someone to walk with or train for a 5K event about three months away. You can consider me your coach, or find one yourself. You will be amazed at the benefits this leisurely daily activity will provide. Amazed.
Ask yourself whether you would rather live a life of inactivity or a life filled with physical endurance, energy to participate in life, eating food with pleasure because youve earned it and having all your body parts working and in good shape. The choice is yours.