Throughout our evolutionary history, in order to survive, humans had to move: we walked, we hunted, we gathered, we ran. This wasn't exercise. It was life. However, things are much different today, and it is undeniable that we're lazier than our ancestors. Most of us are pretty sedentary, and the most walking we do is from the car to the store, from the cubicle to the washroom, and from the couch to the fridge.
If you've ever been around young kids, you know that they can't sit still. They're always in motion, playing and exploring. To a child, movement is something that they "get" to do. To an adult, movement is something that they "have" to do. But why do we need to make it so complicated? Why do there have to be set rules, fancy equipment, designated times, overpriced athletic apparel, and be guided by an "expert?" At what point did we decide to call movement "exercise?"
Movement is more than exercise. Exercises are planned, structured, and fixed. Most people focus on how much and how often they exercise, and they forget about all the other "incidental activities" that they do during the day. To move, you don't need a gym; you don't need a fancy pair of (insert name brand here); you don't need an instructor; you don't need a program to abide by; and you certainly don't need permission to do it.
The simple act of moving helps to increase circulation and improve nutrient delivery and waste removal. Everyone should be incorporating non-exercise related movements into the day to give the body all the nutrition and lubrication that it needs and deserves.
So you might ask... how do you move without "exercising?"
- Park in a spot far away from the entrance
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Walk or bike rather than drive whenever possible
- Play with your children instead of watching them
- Stand rather than sit
- Walk the dog instead of letting him/her roam the yard
- Drink more water so that you're forced to get up and go to the washroom
- Move around while watching TV instead of being a couch potato
The list is endless. Incorporate more "incidental activities" into your life to counteract your sedentary lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, scheduling a 30 or 60 minute exercise session is great, but physical activity does not need to be planned. Especially for those of you who are just starting out, be creative, and make moving fun!
