Health gem

If you do one thing this week . . . exercise on the days you eat

Years ago I read about an actress and dancer who kept herself in shape by never missing an opportunity to work out during her day. This philosophy reportedly bled into even mundane tasks: while brushing her teeth she would do standing leg lifts.

It seemed slightly over the top for those of us who don’t have to endure the scrutiny of cameras daily.

I came across a slightly more workable option recently in an American Journal of Medicine editorial, where editor-in-chief Joseph S Alpert, MD, cites studies on the importance of exercise for health maintenance and improvement.

He muses on how our Palaeolithic ancestors had active lifestyles, and that our genetic makeup has likely changed little since.

Alpert recommends that, among other healthy lifestyle elements, we satisfy our need to move: “When friends or family ask ‘How often should I exercise?’ my answer is always ‘Only on the days you eat.’ That seems to get the message across.”