Exercise changes us
And the thing that we were really surprised to find was that really they turned into almost different beings. I mean, exercise was that potent. Every single tissue we looked at should something completely different from before. It really changed the entire molecular makeup of the individual organs of the rats in a very positive direction.
That’s amazing.
People sleep better. They have better mood. They're able to breathe better. There are just so many ways in which exercise helps. And I think the key is, is just stressing you just enough so that your body then in recovery builds these mechanisms that help you deal with the stress of life in other ways.
At 19 years old I started to run. I loved it. Ran my first half-marathon shortly therafter and was hooked. I then ran on and off for a few years, before finally training for my first marathon at 25. I ran again a year later, cutting an hour off my (very slow) time. Then I paused for a few years. I struggled to get motivation, I’d done the big thing. I tried running off and on and just figure out the right goal to motivate me.
Finally, a few years back I decided I’d just run for its own sake. I put in some AirPods, listen to a book, music, or podcast, and just go. I run about 35-45 minutes (usually a 5k, and the time depends on how many hills I’m facing), and try to do that 2-3 days/week.
It’s not the most active exercise program you could imagine, but it works for me. The trick too, is I don’t sprint. I’m doing a slow, comfortable jog, and just enjoying myself.
This is part of my life, and I hope to keep it up for as long as possible.
Studies that prove the effects are encouraging. But I’ve also just felt it in my body. My mind is clearer, I sleep better, I’m less cranky and frustrated, and the problems of the world fade just a little during and after a run.
I don’t run now for the mileage or anything else, I run for me. I run for a little freedom and joy, and to see the changing of the seasons and the world outside my office.
If you’ve never run before and are curious I recommend Couch to 5k. Get some comfortable running shoes, this is the one time I’ll tell you it’s ok to splurge. Then, and I don’t hear this mentioned most other places, only go at the speed where you could carry on a conversation with an imaginary running buddy. If you can’t talk it means you’re going too fast.
You’re no training for the olympics, you’re trying to get your body moving. Go just fast enough to be a little uncomfortable, but where you can still talk. That’s the sweet spot.
Do that for whatever period of time works. For me I like to at least break a sweat. Sometimes I’d just go a mile, these days I go a bit more. But the idea is to move, to do it for myself.
During my last marathon I crossed the finish line with an 80 year old woman. That’s where I want to be 40+ years from now.
Via PBS.