The recent Horizon programme; ‘The truth about exercise’ has caused a fair bit of discussion. One of the most common reasons given for not exercising is lack of time – with this in mind many will have latched on to Michael Mosley’s idea that all it takes is three lots of 3 minutes extreme exercise a week for healthier and longer lives. Mosley does not support the government guidelines of 5 lots of 30 minutes moderate exercise for good health. Those who watched the programme would have to agree that Mosley’s extreme exercise certainly was extreme. I am not convinced that this would be appropriate for the 80% of people deemed not to exercise enough for good health. However, I am convinced about his view of the office chair; named the killer chair. We were designed to move; those with sedentary lifestyles do need to move every hour. Another study in the Horizon programme showed that by just being more active during the day – walking around at the office, using the stairs, walking to the bus stop etc. could burn up around 500 calories. And that this was a far healthier way to be than to be sitting at work all day and then blasting a half hour session at the gym. With spring just around the corner this would be a good time to get into a new exercise habit. Could you walk to work? Most car journeys are less than 2 miles – could you leave the car at home for just one of these journeys each week? Why not take advantage of the warmer weather and take to the outdoors?
