Does more Exercise mean more Health?

If I was to ask most people what they'd need to do to be healthy, or gain "more health", they'd usually reply with "exercise". There may be one or two other things but that is always near the top of their list. Now, it's absolutely necessary for your body to move and to expend energy in the process, as your genes have evolved over the past few million years against a background of daily movement, and they're expecting it. However, a popular misconception is that exercising is the key to increased health and that more exercise means more health!

So often we hear the phrase "fit and healthy" and the two things have become synonymous, but have you ever heard of anyone being "fit and unhealthy"? It even sounds strange to say it. But think about it: If someone sweats for hours every day in the gym, but eats a diet of processed food products and sugary drinks will they be healthy? If they run several miles four times per week but are stressed and don't get enough sleep will they avoid illness? The answer is most definitely no!

They may become fitter, stronger and more able to do the particular activity, but not necessarily healthier. We all have a finite amount of time on this planet and many people try to extend that time by spending hours in the gym. The unfortunate truth though is they may actually just be wasting a proportion of their lifespan instead of living it.

If being able to lift heavier and heavier things, or running faster and faster is important to you, then carry on doing it. However don't expect those things to make you healthier unless you're also attending to all the other areas that the cells of your body need to function such as rest, nutrition, thoughts and connection to those that you love.

When I have this conversation with people, especially if they're the ones living in the gym, they immediately say "but you need exercise to be healthy", and they're perfectly correct. Surprisingly though, it's probably not as much as you'd think. If you can get out of breath and walk briskly for 30 minutes a few times per week, you'll greatly reduce your chances of developing one of the numerous chronic diseases that end the lives of most people. If you add in lifting something heavy every now and then, you'll keep your bones and muscles strong and supple, but only if you address the other areas of your lifestyle at the same time.

You won't get more health just by adding more exercise