You do not need to exercise:
Unless you want to achieve optimum health or at least good health there may not really be a good reason for you to exercise. Despite the fact that our bodies are the results of many generations of physically active people we may have pretty decent health as very sedentary folks, at least until middle age or later.
Our ancestors did not need to go to the gym or health club (none of which existed) because they were up and active daily taking care of life's necessities. A day of gathering food, caring for off spring, protecting the family from predators and taking care of other family needs was physically as well as emotionally demanding.
But think of the huge advantages:
- no outlandish electrical bills or other utilities
- no hassle with the cable companies
- no worry about whether to get the latest I-Phone, problems with computers, I Pads, tablets, remotes, etc.
- no frustrations with Congress or politics or ISIS
- no worry about good carbs, bad carbs, good fats, bad fats, pesticides, insecticides, etc. in our food supply or concern about the hazards of processed foods.
- no hassle about medical care and insurance deductibles, networks, which Dr. you could see
- no politicians telling you what size of slurpy you could buy with your own money
On the other hand there were:
- very short life spans
- diets limited only to what could be grown, caught or killed
- cooking only over a fire you had to build
- air conditioning consisted of trying to find a breeze or use a fan
- heating was only from building a fire in a protected place
- the main need for your children was you teaching them how to survive
- no immunizations, no antibiotics for infectious diseases, no anesthesia for surgery
- no knowledge of how to avoid the spread of disease
- no x-rays, CT scans or MRIs to evaluate injuries and medical problems
So we have these bodies genetically programed to be physically active to have maximum function. This include an estimated 75 trillion cells all of which have dozens of functions and require movement and nutrients in order to help them move nutrients into the cells and to move toxins and metabolic products out. It seems that all systems that produce energy must have an exhaust system to get rid of by products that were used to produce energy and are now waste materials. Physical activity seems to be a must to give our cells the maximum ability to do these things and to produce energy and to achieve optimum health.
So like most things in life we have some choices:
- With average genes we can usually enjoy average health until sometime around 40 without much regard for our nutritional intake or exercise level
- We can usually have pretty good health with reasonable energy level and infrequent illness with intermittent exercise and modestly good food choices
- We can learn about out body's needs and supply them and will be able to achieve optimum health which includes having good immunity and resistance to infectious diseases and cancer. No one should make these choices for us because it requires giving up temporary pleasures for long term gains and it is O.K. if we choose not to do that. To achieve financial comfort or to achieve optimum health require similar decisions and trade offs.
Recent Comments
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It makes me sad to see that so many children nowadays do not play outside, climb, run, skip rope or whatever. They just sit still and play with their phones or computers. It is scary to think about what will happen with their bodies in the long run! Fresh air and some exercise gives such a good feeling :)
I couldn't agree more with you. Maybe in a few generations people will have huge heads and little bitty extremities?? It is just sad to think about how much fun the kids are missing.
Harold
Goodday to you, Harold, the quality of life depends on choices, and as long as we choose wisely, without hurting ourselfs or others, we will do allright. It is a pitty so many choices are made, thinking it are the right ones, but at long last, they end up hurting other life. And as far as I know, all life is one, so those choices are eventually will hurt ourselves too. Loes
Loes, I always hear a lot of wisdom in your responses and comments. Where do you get that?? Best to you as always. I always enjoy your down to earth thoughts.
Harold
Hi Harold, sounds like all we need to do is use our knowledge to stay healthy with out the burden of paying for it. That is a long, long hard road to undo and figure out why we can't just be thankful for being here and share what we know while caring for one another.
There is always a positive to a negative, and a negative to a positive. I suppose this is just the way it has been, but to me it doesn't need to stay that way.
Great Post!
Kim :))
Kim, I think the issues you have dealt with and the depth of your thinking have given you a level of wisdom well beyond your years. My sons always accused me of being a gambler because I talk so much about percentages but I think everything in life is a gamble and we just try to stack the odds in our favor as much as possible. When I had 4 sons all out in cars I used to try to convince them that kids who drive 80 and 90 mph have more wrecks than those who stay in the speed limit. In regards to health if we eat nutritious foods and are physically active and keep our lives at peace we move the odds for good health greatly in our favor. And then along comes a virulent strep which our resistance can't get wiped out soon enough and we have rheumatic heart disease and damaged valves......and at this point I can really feel angry about things I can't control. Others may booze it up and take zero precaution, never eat a decent meal and get by??So we accept what we cannot control and control what we can. Please be sure someone keeps us posted after your procedure. You will be covered by lots of WA prayers and thoughts.
Harold
Hi Harold,
What a wonderful reply and thank you for your generous compliment. I think it is necessary in life to take an occasional gamble, most of the successful business owner's didn't achieve what they have by not taking a gamble.
I wrote a blog regarding this in fact. Businesses like Disney, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Hewlett Packard...and more, all started in their garage and kept giving it all they had to achieve their vision and dream.
So yes the old valves are getting replaced as you know, I love the fact though that the Doc said the heart cathe should my blood vessels were that of a 20 year old. I do try to eat somewhat healthy. This is due to the fact that I love to cook with fresh vegetables and meat. No frozen or processed.
Since prescription drugs were just making my condition worse I decided to ween myself off of them. I do like my beer for a relaxing benefit to help calm my nerves and hypertension. With the condition of my blood vessels I may have to say that beer is truly a natural blood thinner. Lol.
Have a great week Harold!
Kim :))
Kim, I don't think enough could be piled on you to keep you down. Thanks for all of the positive thoughts and feelings you share with all of us.
Harold
Hello Harold, Great post, I guess the decisions we make in our lives today will benefit or hurt us in the future, whether it's health wise or financially. Thank you for sharing Harold:)
Jazim, you always hit the nail right on the head! Hope you are doing well and that your father is better.
Harold
Thank you Harold, Things are slowly getting better. But we will get there. Bless you Harold:)
Hi Jaz, I'm sorry I didn't know about your dad. I will keep him and you all in my thoughts and prayers, my dear. Take care.
Big Hugs.
We're here and in this together, girl. You've been very supportive to my challenges too. Hugs.
Back home at my parents' property, I don't have to worry about exercises. We have our little farm, garden, and livestock to keep us busy. Half an hour in the garden and my shirt is all wet. I miss that here in Europe. I'm glad for the open park though.
Thank you for a great article.
Jenn
Jenn, it is good to hear from you. I read you fascinating bio and several blogs and your description of the many types you accepted as friends so I thought I could fit in there somewhere. So please add me. Glad you are keeping up with Joseph, I have a large framed photo of him framed and on my chest. Best wishes to you and hope you are doing well medically.
Harold
Well! Sir, what can I say... I am humbled and honored by your beautiful and kind note. Thank you for approving me. I am sure Joseph will be honored all the same to hear that you have his photo framed. These few days will be tough though as he won't be able to communicate with us...
To me, being strong and being brave that all is well with him is really a decision that I can't fathom. I wish I have some sorts of gift that I can see what's going on there. I hope we won't turn 1000 y.o. soon. The place he's going now... well! I have closed the tab with all kind of news. I have a new American acquaintance there whose friend's life is at stake. I hope Joseph will get what he wants and be back home safe and sound, soon. "It is what I do" he says and yes, it is indeed!
Jenn
Jenn, I appreciate your thoughts and the love and caring you exude. The picture that I printed off of Joseph was from one of his WA contributions where he was leaning against a building- a nearly full length photo. We all worry about his safety, but as you know Jenn, we all have our own drummer whose beat we march to and we do what we need to do to be at peace with our self and to enrich our life. In my opinion happiness is not about what we will get but about appreciating what we have. I know you are in a lot of turmoil with so much on your mind but remember that the sun always appears after darkness. Best wishes to you in your own journey.
Harold
I have just got a really beautiful note from a dear dear friend of mine, "... expect the worst or the best..." I've had peace that I thought I hadn't got in a long time (exaggeration of course) and feel that: no matter what, all this shall pass, good or bad. It always does. Your "the sun always appears after darkness" does sum it up too. :)
Yes, I love that photo of him. It shows the person we know, his nature and his passion. Like you, I'm so proud of Joseph and for what he does. What an honor to be in the circle of love! :)
Thank you, Doc. I wish you the best in all you do and looking forward to read more of your wisdom.
Always,
Jenn
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Brilliantly written. Brilliantly discussed. Thank you for another thought-provoking article. Optimum health is the goal, but sometimes activity just doesn't happen much due to physical limitations. Then there are ALWAYS complications. My heart goes out to those confined physically, yet psycologically have the energy of a triathalon competitor. One wonders, what exhaust system has evolved in their bodies to make the adjusment? On a business note, somewhere in there may be an excellent niche.
You know, I think your note pretty well describes most WA members. I have noticed a good many have been bumped around a good bit with various adversities and then adjust and then readjust until they find a way. Some throw in the towel and quit trying and others never will. I wish we could figure out exactly what this common denominator is. Have a good night.