EAT!

Yesterday we talked about Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, which is physical activity that isn't planned exercise but burns calories anyway. Today, let's talk about Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.

Planned exercise is an important part of being healthy, though many only use it as a way to lose weight. To develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, we should all be exercising for at least 30 minutes every day. This exercise should include cardiovascular training - what most of us just call 'cardio' - as well as strength training and stretching.

What does the perfectly healthy exercise routine look like? That really depends on you. Exercise is one of those areas where everyone is actually different, so you'll need to do your own research and try out a few different methods in order to find what is going to work for you.

For example, I know that I need high-intensity thermogenic activity. This means that while someone else can be perfectly healthy if they just go for a stroll every day and spend ten minutes strength training with resistance bands, I'm going to be healthier if I go for a run on a regular basis and do my strength training with heavier weights. I know this for two reasons.

First: I know that there are certain markers in your DNA that determine how your body responds to physical activity. Some people - like me - have a need for intense exercise coded into their DNA and their bodies won't respond to a low intensity exercise with nearly the same effectiveness, while other people's DNA is coded for either light or moderate intensity exercise to be most effective. Knowing that your DNA code affects how your body responds to exercise, I had mine tested to find those markers so I would know without a doubt what I should be doing. If you're interested in doing this, send me an email and I'll send you a referral to the company that I used for this test.

Second: I know what makes me feel the best. Even if you don't have a desire or the resources to have your DNA tested for these markers, you can still find your body's optimal exercise intensity with some trial and error. When I engage in light or even moderate exercise, I start to get physically frustrated within about five minutes. It's a struggle to slow myself down and force myself to ease up on the activity. My heart rate and adrenaline levels rise - not because of the activity I'm participating in, but because my body is responding to not getting what it needs by getting frustrated. It feels a lot like getting angry or being afraid, so it was confusing at first. But careful self-evaluation goes a long way. Since I had nothing to be angry or afraid about, I had to examine what other emotions cause this particular physical reaction for me. It was a little surprising to learn that my body was literally getting irritated with me!

When I start using intense physical activity for my planned exercise, the story changes altogether. If I'm putting all of  my strength, endurance, and physical ability to the test, my body responds with joy. Literally! As soon as I start pushing my limits, any stress that I'm feeling melts away and is replaced with happiness and peace. My mind clears and untapped levels of focus become available to me. I finish my activity feeling more calmed and at peace than when I started, even if I didn't feel particularly anxious or stressed out to begin with. High intensity exercise leaves me feeling accomplished, focused, and ready to take on whatever else the day has for me.

Today, evaluate your past experiences with exercise to discover where your optimal activity intensity level is.