Best Overall Exercise - Activities of Daily Living

Ask any health professional and they will tell you that in order to be healthy and lose weight, you need to include 'diet and exercise' as a regular part of any health program. Theoretically and scientifically, this is a true statement. However, the hard reality is that very few people exercise on a regular basis. There are numerous reasons given for not exercising and I understand and can even relate to the excuses - too busy, gym memberships too expensive, etc. Unfortunately, when people don't adequately exercise, many health professionals somehow feel relieved of their duties by concluding, "Well, I told them to exercise and they aren't so it's their fault that they have diabetes and other health problems." I was trained differently. I've always looked at noncompliance among my patients as my fault because I communicated in a way that was inadequate for them. It's up to me to find a better way to communicate the benefits of behaviors that enhance health.

Sometimes, if a health professional recommends anything less than a grueling, Olympic exercise regimen participated by the extreme few, some would question if the professional is adequately trained. I understand and it is an appropriate question to ask. I have a Master's Degree in Kinesiology and have published research on the biochemistry of exercised muscle, helped create wellness programs which included exercise in several wellness centers around the world and was Medical Advisor to the professional soccer (football) team, AC Milan, which contained world-famous athletes at the time. I'm also quite familiar with published scientific literature on exercise as well as the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. In my opinion, however, the healthcare industry shouldn't be emphasizing how much we know about exercise but rather in helping get greater numbers of people participating in some.

Exercise of Daily Living -  Whenever we move our bodies, there is some degree of exercise involved. Exercise doesn't always occur in a gym or with sports attire. There is substantial published scientific literature which reveals that any form of exercise is better than none. People who garden live longer than people who don't. Taking walks, occasional flights of stairs, vacuuming, mowing, walking pets, etc. all involve exercise. What I have found is that if exercise is made simpler, compliance increases and there are lots of creative, fun ways to exercise. Playing Frisbee or catch with your significant other or kids is exercise. Walking around a mall or taking some stairs at work instead of always taking the elevator is exercise. I love to mow because of how the lawn looks afterward. Our family is also very active outdoors so we participate in skiing, backpacking, etc. Having fun activities like these with those you love are not only exercise, they create beautiful, long-lasting memories which have benefits which far exceed that of exercise. Therefore, all benefits included, 'activities of daily living' may be the best form of exercise of all. So, let's all go out and have some fun and make memories moving our bodies today!