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Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

derekthompson.org

241–250 of 260 posts

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

long-term evidence isn't clear at all for the benefit of these

You're wrong about this. It's very clear, and some of the evidence is presented in the original article here.

I wouldn't like the takeaway from my comment to be that any extra intensity beyond daily walking is wasted. Instead my point is that for some, walking is one of the few exercises within reach that is sustainable with low injury risk.

I am also saying that for those new to the gym, starting with say 10-20 minutes every day is better in the long run than 1-1.5 hours three times a week before the body is acclimated or before proper form is developed. This lowers the risk of injury that could set back the health improvement endeavor.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#242
post #19

> The author Daniel Lieberman has put it well: Exercise is healthy and rewarding even though it’s something we never evolved to do. We have ostensibly spent much of our evolutionary budget on the ability to run ~indefinitely no matter what. Compared to virtually any other animal, we can vastly outperform them in the most arduous environments. Our bodies are mechanically optimized for running at every level. We have c…

> Our bodies are mechanically optimized for running at every level My flat feet (and those of my mom, and those of one of her parents, ad infinitum) would beg to differ lol Also, most of the energy our bodies burn to run just turns into heat, it's all very inefficient... even if sweating itself works pretty well, and even if our heat tolerance is high assuming we have a source of fresh water

If you'd been running barefoot as a kid as nature evolved us for you likely wouldn't have the issue.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#243
post #19

> The author Daniel Lieberman has put it well: Exercise is healthy and rewarding even though it’s something we never evolved to do. We have ostensibly spent much of our evolutionary budget on the ability to run ~indefinitely no matter what. Compared to virtually any other animal, we can vastly outperform them in the most arduous environments. Our bodies are mechanically optimized for running at every level. We have c…

How much of that is due to only using two limbs? Which also makes us slower I guess.

Two limbs combined with afro hair (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro) which acted as a sun shade allowed humans to move faster and longer at midday in Africa than most of their prey. Lack of sun hitting the body being upright plus sweat from the largely hairless skin made them overheat less than the prey.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#244

Walking is exercise. Never forget that. Consistency over sporadic herculean efforts always wins out.

There are positive physical and mental change that happen with more intensive cardio and with resistance training that you can't get from walking no matter how much you walk. And there's nothing herculian about those modes of exercise.

This is true, but it doesn't matter if people don't do it.

The danger of hyper-optimization is people just giving up altogether. That's why a lot of those intense diets don't work.

Does Keto work? Yes. But does it actually? No. Because being on Keto is very, very hard and people just give up. The vast majority of people who start Keto will not stick to it.

But switching out soda for diet soda is easy. So, if I'm inclined to give suggestions, I'd rather suggest that.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are positive physical and mental change that happen with more intensive cardio and with resistance training that you can't get from walking no matter how much you walk. And there's nothing herculian about those modes of exercise.

This is true, but it doesn't matter if people don't do it. The danger of hyper-optimization is people just giving up altogether. That's why a lot of those intense diets don't work. Does Keto work? Yes. But does it actually? No. Because being on Keto is very, very hard and people just give up. The vast majority of people who start Keto will not stick to it. But switching out soda for diet soda is easy. So, if I'm incl…

I'm not suggesting hyper-optimization. I'm suggesting a basic exercise program which includes resistance training and cardio.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#246

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is true, but it doesn't matter if people don't do it. The danger of hyper-optimization is people just giving up altogether. That's why a lot of those intense diets don't work. Does Keto work? Yes. But does it actually? No. Because being on Keto is very, very hard and people just give up. The vast majority of people who start Keto will not stick to it. But switching out soda for diet soda is easy. So, if I'm incl…

I'm not suggesting hyper-optimization. I'm suggesting a basic exercise program which includes resistance training and cardio.

For some, perhaps many or even most, that is a hyper-optimization IMO.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#247

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not suggesting hyper-optimization. I'm suggesting a basic exercise program which includes resistance training and cardio.

For some, perhaps many or even most, that is a hyper-optimization IMO.

Hyper-...? I don't think you get how optimized and hyper-optimized exercise can get.

I'm talking about the basics. For anyone who wants to get benefit from exercise. If you think you're getting those benefits in some other way, you're lying to yourself or you don't understand what we're talking about.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#248
post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe you are correct and I believe that what you are expressing can be generalized - and distilled - as the following: Bracing a body part weakens that body part in the long run . Anybody who has ever had a cast on their arm knows this firsthand.

Yep. I walk barefoot everywhere I can and if not, then I wear sandals. I was having terrible pain in my feet when I was wearing “shoes with support”, which went away once I started wearing sandals and going barefoot everywhere. If I run I run with glove shoes or whatever they’re called nowadays.

> glove shoes

Probably Vibram FiveFingers

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For some, perhaps many or even most, that is a hyper-optimization IMO.

Hyper-...? I don't think you get how optimized and hyper-optimized exercise can get. I'm talking about the basics. For anyone who wants to get benefit from exercise. If you think you're getting those benefits in some other way, you're lying to yourself or you don't understand what we're talking about.

Okay, whatever, this is just bad advice for people who don't exercise. Giving advice isn't an opportunity to brag - take it down a notch. I'm sure you're very cool and everyone likes you.

But, for most Americans, they need to be walking. The rest can come later. Sorry superman.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hyper-...? I don't think you get how optimized and hyper-optimized exercise can get. I'm talking about the basics. For anyone who wants to get benefit from exercise. If you think you're getting those benefits in some other way, you're lying to yourself or you don't understand what we're talking about.

Okay, whatever, this is just bad advice for people who don't exercise. Giving advice isn't an opportunity to brag - take it down a notch. I'm sure you're very cool and everyone likes you. But, for most Americans, they need to be walking. The rest can come later. Sorry superman.

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