exercise really important on raw

[theresaann]

I am surprised that so few people on this board seem to participate in this topic. In my experience, exercise is AS important as raw food for realizing optimum health. any comments?

[Nadhirrah]

I would agree that it is very important. For me I am lazy and was so out of shape that I need to eat the good food so that even had the energy to even think about exercising.

[kmik]

I too agree completely! I run, kick-box and go to Curves. But I don't harp on it alot because I figure people need to take one step at a time, and since this is a Raw food board first, I focus on that.

But when anyone asks me, YES! Please exercise! Whatever you can do, just start moving!

[tglasco4]

Of course you are correct Theresaann. I believe the SAD diet is at least partially responsible for causing many to not even want to exercise or not have the energy to stick with it for any length of time. Eating alot of raw produce is really just part of the path to great health. I believe for those who are faithful to the lifestyle diet-wise, will eventually get into exercise as the body will crave it. But if one were to start out with even a light exercise program with the raw diet, great would be the results. For many though, its something they have to grow into.

Peace.

Todd

[theresaann]

Hey, I agree with you guys. Often people are so tired and toxic they have to clean out first to be able to exercise at all. I've definitely been there too. Now the thing is having so much energy I HAVE to exercise!! a much better dilemma to have, I think!

[twinee1]

So true, SAD zaps energy. And those on the living foods can run rings around them. There are athletes who follow (modified ) SAD diets but make the "good SAD" choices and they can thrive to a certain degree...but at a high cost. If they only knew the energy they would get as Athletes on RAW !!

good humor to check out...http://www.happycow.net/humor.html

[mollyokeeffe]

It's easy to get compacent on raw and expect it to do everything... but a lazy raw lifestyle can lead to negative moods... a little excersize here and there is a mood enhancer... When SAD I excersize a lot because I am so hyper and aggressive. Raw brings out a mellower me so I am not compelled to excersize. Recently I did some Bikram Yoga sessions and this jolted me out of raw lethargy... standard raw is not enough and actually demands excersize for a sense of full aliveness... all that raw food just sitting around is not natural. fasting and sitting around are harmonious for me but if I am raw, I should move a bit to enjoy the effects of it. on cooked, the moving is more compulsive and aggressive, like running away from something (the cooked sensations)!! on raw it is more for the sheer joy of it...there is more in the moment pleasure of it.
I agree it is most beneficial to excersize on raw and I find doing Bikram Yoga is like doing constructive surgery on my hips, spine, jaw, organs, glands, etc... and can, in the end, be a wholistic, independent, inner and outer body and brain massage. This is a theraputic excersize.
For fun, I like bike riding but this can be a stress on the body and I feel the average bike design is entirely ridiculous and cramping.
Other sports can have similar issues like tennis and such, but thorough Yoga like Bikram, can repair and stregthen the body to withstand periods of less than optimal movement.
Not all excersize is created equal! Some seems downright unappealing.
But walking or hiking can be the simpliest and most natural way to simply get the circulation going and stimulate endorphins.
If typing on the keyboard in front of the computer was considered excersize many of us would be athletes.
One could, while surfing the net, lift simple weights or engage in simple modified yoga postures.

[rawcanadagirl]

I agree, exercise is SO important - mentally and physically.
For many people though, exercise has a negative connotation because they only associate it with going to the gym (not everyone is a gym person), or with something they dislike or are forcing themselves to do. I would hate to do it if it meant running every day (I am NOT a runner).

There are so many activities and different ways to stay fit! Enjoying whatever exercise you choose provides even more benefits...physical fitness and strength, relief of stress, and the pure enjoyment of feeling your body move. It is a great feeling to watch your body get stronger, faster, more flexible or graceful...

RCG

[Ariannah]

I enjoy exercising, but I never make a formal issue out of it. I get quite a bit naturally. I love to walk (about 5 miles each time). Our bodies are designed for walking. I've never been the kind to "go to the gym" as, IMO, it is an artificial, contrived type of environment and I don't feel comfortable in those atmospheres. I do need to buy myself a rebounder or something that I can use in the winter time, because I do dislike snow and cold weather.

[sport]

I think that I differ from what you are describing.
I have loads of energy and was never lazy in my life. I was never overweight and never ate rubbish foods but have never been in the habit of exercising in a structured way. I do not mind walking somewhere if it is somewhere that I need to get to but could never work up the enthusiasm to walk somewhere for no reason other than exercise. I know that this is wrong but I think that I need to be achieving and exercising for a certain period every day does not show immediate results so I do things that do. I am having difficulty breaking the old habits.

[calee]

I seem to go in spurts. During the Spring, Summer and Fall I walk for 30 minutes and do 75 minutes of Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises with my teacher from China. We do it outside by the lake and stop when the time changes and wait until Spring and more light/less rain. I have a difficult time keeping up my exercise in the winter as I seem to get lazy about it. I'm hoping that this winter won't be in hibernation. I recently bought an Urban Rebounder so that I can stay in and exercise. This morning I was on the rebounder, did some light weights, crunches and stretching.

I try to think in terms of Natural Hygiene as my goal, so that means good organic raw food, plenty of rest, exercise, fresh water, mindfulness, laughter and joy.

[Cinnamon]

I do feel exercise is just as important as how I eat, the energy and vitality I feel from daily exercise is a great influence on my eating habits. Each influences the other... healthy food and exercise go hand in hand!

I have exercised daily since I was in my teens (I'm now 47) and LOVE it. I have every piece of equipment at home plus I belong to a health club and go there 6 days a week. I do everything from step classes to yoga, I mix it up for variety but also to use all my muscles in different ways!

I would give up eating far before I'd give up my daily exercise, 2 hours a day each morning and I am GOOD to go!

[PandaBear]

Exercise is vital. A person can not get in shape from a healthy diet alone. A person can't get in shape by 'dieting' or limiting calories. This will only make you into a 'soft' thinner person. Exercise is vital because it's hard to do. My opinion is that anything that is hard to do is usually what's best for us. "GOD", or the intelligent designer, or whatever you believe in, made life a challenge for us. We are the smartest beings on earth, so we are given the most challenges as a test. Anybody can sit around and diet or eat healthy. Only the strong can get their butts to the gym or out for a run several times per week and get strong. This in turn gets us more in tune with our body and it's needs, suppresses appetite, creates motivation and increases metabolism with increased muscle mass!

Bread, cupcakes, filet mignon- they are all incredibly delicious foods (unless your palatte has changed, which has somewhat happened for me and I know many raw foodists). So our challenge is to eat healthy, to defy what is easy and what creates instant pleasure.

Kudos to everyone who fights against the grain, gets off the couch, and creates their own path!

[ciarac]

Totally agree.
I believe it to be a 50/50 relationship, both diet and exercise are important.
I run, kickbox, and anything else that I feel like trying.
But, it need not be sport, just as long as you're moving, it's good.

[misslinda]

it's possible that some people just don't dont' talk about it---but then again definition of exerdise can be argued. I believe movement is a crucial part of our everday lives defined in many ways: running, walking,meditating,stretching,thinking and others I am probably not even aware of.

Myself and I think Jauqrei would agree we have to be running and feel pain in order to feel like we've accomplished our exercise (running). we're truly sick in the head ;)


runner's high,
ml