How Much Exercise?

In a way, the title of this post is misleading. At least, that's my hypothesis. Usually, when we think about "how much," we would conceive the answer in hours per week for minutes per day. But my research has led me to believe that's not nearly as important as "how hard?"

The current recommendations on physical activity in both USA and Oz basically state that exercising 3 days a week for about an hour each day will promote "health maintenance." From this follows a common exercise ritual amongst many people---hitting the gym Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for their lunch time or post-work routine. From a behavioral and time management standpoint, I support using this routine, and currently subscribe to the lunch time version.

It's the other half of the recommendations that I don't agree with. Namely, that the activity be moderate, which means walking or light jogging for many people. While these guidelines are backed up by proper research, they are really based upon a single premise: something is better than nothing. They only put forth the minimum in these guidelines, hoping that they would get something out of the public rather than nothing.

My research is pointing me to a knew direction of thinking. I believe that there may be a single optimal volume (how much) of exercise we should perform, and 3 days a week for an hour seems a good start. The key seems to be the intensity the exercise is performed at, and it needs to be vigorous. This is doubly so after cancer, where toxic treatments to rid the disease leave the body needing a greater stimulus to make the same changes a cancer free adult might gain. As I gather data on this question, I will be sharing the results on this blog.

So my challenge to all, whether you are recovering from cancer or hope to prevent ever getting it, is to work harder. This blog will help you. You want to build up to the point were every session leaves you dripping with sweat. But importantly, you should also feel (at least mentally) energized by knocking out such an awesome workout. It might even get to the point where you adopt the phrase we shouted at my brother's boot camp: "I love the way this sucks, sir!"