Every since I was introduced to Art de Vany I held the view that there is some truth in evolutionary fitness when ancient men and women hunted and gathered for several days (or hours) and tired out to rest a few days and recouped fitter and stronger. On the other hand there are the modern fitness gurus who advocate a number of minutes (or hours, depending on fitness levels) of exercise daily.
Having exercised in the daily group for several years I have tried with great difficult to follow the evolutionary model. For over one year now I have been gradually trying to increase my exercise duration with more rest days to follow. It has been very difficult, but I am pleased to report that for my 66-year age and capacity I have been able to somewhat get there. For instance my program last week was:
Monday – swim one mile – 45 minutes
Tuesday - swim 2 miles – 90 minutes
Wednesday – Mountain bicycle for 2 hours
Thursday – Road bicycle for 7 hours
Friday – Walk 5 miles – this is a rest day
Saturday – Walk 5 miles – this is a rest day
Sunday – Walk 1-2 miles – this is a rest day.
In this program, walking is not an exercise at about 18-20 minutes per mile. From my experience I feel stronger and fitter in swimming longer in 2 days rather than 3 days or bicycling for 2 days rather than in 4 days. If I have the will-power to plod on, my goal would be to exercise for 3 days a week, but it would be of almost a work-day duration. I'll let you know if I get there. But I think there is some truth to evolutionary fitness as we turn the clock in finding great values in the way the ancient people lived as they exercised not as we do but were compelled to move to merely exist a life.
Comments