The first step in improving fitness is to move your body all day long. I talked about this in my previous blog post, "Balloon Ball." This step consists of things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. But this is not enough. Did you really think you could sit on the couch watching reruns of the Simpsons for the umpteenth time? Since I thought that, or at least I acted like I did for many years, you may too. No, you have to walk. (Note that any exercise must be discussed with your doctor.)
I was reading a book on brain evolution called Brain Rules. While I am losing interest about half the way through the book, the main point of an early chapter still haunts me. Yes, haunts is the right word. I think about Alzheimer's patients wasting away. How many of us have a fear of this? I know I do. But it turns out that one of the most effective means of delaying Alzheimer's is exercise. Notice I said delay. Cognitive decline is inevitable, but the rate of decline can be strongly influenced by our diet and lifestyle choices. Minimizing such decline is important, and the earlier in life you start, the better. I think a lot of the time we blame "old age" on our decline as we age when in fact it is our lifestyle choices that are causing many of the issues we experience. "Too Old, Too Soon" is not a phrase we want to apply to us.
I talked about bell curves in a previous post. Many topics in life fit the bell curve pattern. In this case along the horizontal axis is the amount of exercise, along the vertical is health benefits. The graphical result is a bell shaped curve. Often the angle of the curve is rather steep. My guess is that this is the case with exercise, that "a little goes a long way." Our ancestors walked for miles and miles every day. I am not sure you need to do that much, as that may put you into the area of overexercise, but we are made to walk, not drive. So my action plan for this week is 15 minutes of walking a day. That's it. If you are serious about avoiding Alzheimers, that seems a small enough step. My personal goal is 45 minutes three times a week: once on Sunday in the hiking park here in the mountains with my family; and twice with my exercise buddies during the week. Trying to make your walking a "community" project will increase your enjoyment of it and increase your likelihood to continue in it.
Yes, walking can be difficult in February in Michigan. Many malls open up early for walkers. See if you can find one in your area if weather is an issue.
Your homework for this week is an entertaining video about exercise and a video about exercise and Alzheimers:
Action Plan: Walk 15 minutes each day.
So to quote that great philosopher, Ricky Nelson ...
I'm Walking,
Yes Indeed,
I'm Talking,
About You and Me
I'm Hoping that You'll Go a-Walkin' with me
Oh, Yeah
For indeed, "whatcha goin' do when the well runs dry?" Exercise will keep your "well" properly maintained.