Fitness Basics For You
We don’t have to look too long ago to see our physical activity has declined a great deal over time. Two hundred years ago in America when a Native American was hungry he hunted, fished, gathered or farmed. All this required physical activity; hard work that had to be done on an ongoing basis or they wouldn’t eat.
Let’s look at what might have been a typical day for a Native American couple a hundred years ago. The young husband wakes up early in the morning and runs to the stream to fill several water bags and to fish for breakfast. The stream is a mile away. He carries the food and water back to his teepee so his wife can enjoy the cool water and fresh fish. While his wife prepares the fish and some vegetables from the tribal farm the young man scouts the countryside several miles to locate where the buffalo herd has newly settled.
After breakfast the young man will make some arrows to replace the ones he spent the previous day while pursuing the buffalo. His wife will work in the tribal farm with the other women of the tribe. She will dig, plant seeds and harvest, often on her knees or bent over. For lunch they will eat fresh fruit and nuts the wife gathered from the nearby forest. Then in the afternoon the husband will hunt buffalo with the other men. The buffalo herd has moved but there is a deer herd nearby. Although deer is much smaller and faster the men can kill many more and therefor feed the village well.
The deer do not stand still and wait for the men to hunt them. At first sign of danger the deer will run. They will run fast and far. And the men will run after them ... sometimes for hours for they must bring back enough food so the entire tribe can eat. While the husband hunts, the wife makes clothes to protect them against the elements. If necessary she will make jars to store food and water, and she will gather nuts from the forest. When the men return the women will prepare the freshly killed meat. After supper there will be some games and dancing and finally planning for tomorrow.
How does this compare to what a young couple must do today in order to eat. They go to the supermarket and throw some food in the cart. In one visit they can get a whole weeks supply of food. Often the food is partially prepared. When they get home food preparation is easy. They throw the previously processed food in the microwave or toaster and presto, instant meals ... effortlessly prepared. We are proud of the fact that we can do in one hour what once took all day long to do. We should be proud. That’s quite an accomplishment. But we don’t get the exercise the Native Americans used to get daily.
How many people do you know who work at a job that requires running several miles every day of the week? Would you take a job that requires you to do that much work?
Our bodies are designed to move. When they move they function better. And we feel happier and healthier. We actually have to move our bodies quite a bit. Movement doesn’t have to be boring. I always recommend that people start some activity that moves the body. Do it often. Besides the obvious physical benefits you can also develop competition, mental stamina, focus, and the spirit of play.
There are several levels of fitness and corresponding levels of exercise. Generally speaking a person must be fit so their lifestyle doesn’t hurt them.
* Professional Fitness: Professional athletes and people in physical demanding jobs like firemen, policemen, soldiers etc. must keep fit to do their work. This requires constant training for more than 10 hours per week, Training is an essential part of their activities. They look forward to their training and rarely get hurt at work or play.
* Amateur Athletes: People who regularly engage in heavy activity for fun, such as dancing or weekend sports, need to exercise about 5 to 10 hours per week. Amateur athletes who don’t exercise often, get hurt from the activity. Professional tennis players never get tennis elbow because they train their arm muscles. Among weekend tennis players tennis elbow is a common ailment because they don’t otherwise train.
* Minimum Fitness: There is a fitness level at which the body thwarts off degenerative diseases. This usually requires 3 to 5 hours of good exercise per week. You can run, jump, catch, throw, push, pull, bend, twist, lift, climb and balance easily. You can work and play without aches and pains. You welcome and enjoy physical activity instead of avoiding it. Life Is Fun.
* Below Minimum: At this level you avoid physical activity. You must park near the entrance to the supermarket because walking is too uncomfortable. You always take the elevator because walking up is too tiring. You adopt cute clichés like, “some exercise is better than none” just to make yourself feel better about the little exercise you can do.
Whether you use a trainer or decide to be your own trainer these simple rules help a great deal.
* Gradually increase your activity level. Don’t try to do it all at once. It’s better to get there slowly than to not get there at all.
* Exercise regularly. You must be consistent. Doing a little more every day is much better than occasionally doing a lot.
* Exercise so you’re breathing harder than normal and sweating.
* Exercise so your muscles are a little sore but not painful. Soreness is a sign of growth. Pain is a sign of damage.
* Train for balance, timing, coordination, and reflexes. It improves your quality of life.
* Get adequate rest and sleep so your body can mend, recuperate and get stronger.
* Eat healthier. Your body needs good fuel and good building material.
Eating a natural Keto Diet or Carnivore Diet can return you to a healthier weight and healthier metabolism. forest