Every year I practice medicine, specializing in metabolic health, I become less tolerant of the excuses people use to avoid exercise. If a part of the body is injured, the other parts should be and must be exercised. With gyms and pools and trainers and physical therapists, exercise can be incorporated into anyone’s life, regardless of injuries or pains or excuses. Period.
But the greatest excuse is the one that claims that exercise isn’t fun, or doesn’t bring joy. Here, writes Gretchen Reynolds in the New York Times on Tuesday May 1st, we are pleasantly surprised. The study measured endocannabinoids before and after walking and running on a treadmill for 30 minutes at about 70% of the one’s maximum heart rate. The runners released significant endocannabinoids, the compounds that researchers agree is likely to be the cause of the runners high. The walkers did not release these compounds.
Essentially, our body and brain release compounds that create a mood-reward for higher exertion exercise. Over millennia, our species has had a biological imperative to move and be active. Athletes find this as no surprise; their experience aligns with the study conclusions. Since exercise is one of only two primary ways (diet-and-exercise) we can cure our metabolism problems, I need to encourage people toward meaningful regular exercise in their lives. I encourage all non-athletes to find their human-ness that needs to move to be rewarded. Luckily, I can assure then that bliss rather than torture is at the end of this run toward their metabolic health.
Does running have to hurt? Personally, I have benefited a great deal by re-learning how to run. My “bad” knee is now strong and unstrained with near daily running. I studied the chi-running videos and practiced Good Form Running several years ago with some trained runners. Look for more on this topic in future posts.
-Dr. Richard Maurer






