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Active Feeding
I just read an excerpt from a book called Lights out: Sleep, sugar and survival, by T.S. Wiley, which basically trashes exercise and carbohydrates as components of a disease process that leads to obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The premise is that we are out of synch with the daily and seasonal light/dark cycles as artificial lighting fools our bodies into believing it's always summer, and thus, time to store fat for the coming winter. As a result, we're constantly preparing for a famine that never comes. Is there anything to this?
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Craig Norwich, New York
T.S. Wiley is right on track. The key to good health is to sleep -- more in the winter and less in the summer -- stop exercising, and eat whatever you want. Exercise is, of course, an evil and potentially life threatening undertaking, as many of the world's top health and medical scientists will attest. And a diet rich in carbohydrates, especially fruits and vegetables is absurd, especially in combination with a low fat intake.
In earnest, while Wiley raises a number of pertinent issues in his well-researched critique of the organization of modern life, I can't concur with his conclusions. I for one, appreciate the benefits of the "artificial" longer days afforded by non-solar lighting. Rather than fight this trend, I embrace it. Even if Wiley's theory that modern humans are stuffing themselves because their light intake is triggering an adaptive hormonal response is accurate, I happen to believe that as conscious, intelligent creatures, we can overcome these urges in the same way we become fit: through proper training.
Given my disagreements with Wiley's premise, I obviously have different lifestyle and dietary recommendations. The most important thing to keep in mind here is that the proper diet and fitness regime depends on the individual. A great deal of attention has been given lately to high protein/low carbohydrate diets, which according to some, reduce fat storage. The problem with these diets is that they are designed for the standard, non-exercising couch potato. Low carbohydrate diets are totally inappropriate for active individuals who need, and will burn, the readily accessible calories. For athletes desiring some diet direction, I'd recommend Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook.
Consuming more calories than are expended causes obesity, and Americans have one of the most sedentary lifestyles in the world. Individuals who exercise are "healthier" and have a better quality of life than those who don't. And remember, this lifestyle is not just about living longer or being thinner, it's about doing things you really enjoy, and for many of us that's outdoor play. Keep active everybody -- the country needs more of us.
Have some fitness tips of your own to add? Bring 'em on in our Bodywork Forum.
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