Confusing message over how much exercise is good for us

WE have all heard the saying, 'too much of a good thing'.

First used in one of Shakespeare's famous comedies, As You Like It, it's often quoted in reference to the spoils of riches and gluttony.

While we might often use the term in relation to enjoying too much food or drink, it seems we don’t really buy into the too-much-of-a-good-thing mantra for everything in life.

Take exercise, for example, there's never a chance that too much exercise is wrong for us, is there?

‘Protestant people here are very clear about what they’re not, but they’re not very clear about who they are’ - photographer Stephen Wilson

Cultivating something special at Flax Lane

We've all been told to exercise more - to help our brains, our longevity, our overall health.

But there's a massive societal gap that exists when it comes to the question of how much exercise is good for you.

At one end of the spectrum, there's the sedentary couch potatoes among us for whom exercise forms no part of their life.

While at the other end, there's those uber-fit, ultra bendy people who crave their daily exercise routine.

And then there's many like myself, that person who floats somewhere in between - that person who desires to be that obsessive gym bunny or 5k fanatic, but really can't be bothered after the first 100 metres.

As I return to this column, you find me struggling to maintain a new exercise regime I've tried to enforce on myself since January.

With a desire to get fitter and perhaps knowing those summer months are (hopefully) just around the corner, I've been out there pounding the pavements.

I've embarked on a fitness class too, just to add more pain to my already aching limbs.

But it appears that just recently more confusion has been added to the question of how much is too much.

And for those of you reading who can relate to my wannabe fitness vibes, here's the news we have been waiting for. Basically those exercise-fanatics we aspire to being are wasting their time.

While there might be a study for everything these days, apparently according to new research hitting the gym in the hope of losing those spare pounds on the hips and thighs is, in fact, useless.

Those of you spending hours and hours pounding the treadmills or rowing their way along Strangford Lough and back via the gym rowing machine, well apparently there's really no need.

A study has found the body adapts to higher levels of activity - changing metabolism and activity levels so that fewer calories are burned.

American researchers examined the daily energy expenditure and activity levels of more than 300 men and women.

Those with moderately active levels - such as a daily walk to work and perhaps a trip to the gym twice a week - were found to have burned around more than 200 calories more than those living couch potato lifestyles.

But after a certain level, the extra time working up a sweat made no difference to the amount of calories burned at all.

Experts said it might explain why those who embark on gym routines in a bid to lose weight often see weight loss hit a plateau after a few months.

The researchers also say that people who push their bodies too hard may essentially undo the benefit of exercise.

We need to remember that driving our bodies hard should not mean driving them into the ground.

Too much exercise, doing it too intensely or without giving sufficient time for the body to repair itself, can cause far more serious health problems than it does benefits.

At the end of the day, the interesting thing about health and fitness is that it's rarely black and white.

Healthy choices can, in excess or done without the right information, have consequences as bad as living entirely on chips and fizzy drinks.

But there's no denying it, exercise - even is small amounts - makes everyone feel better.

Just 10 minutes of physical exertion has been shown to reduce depression, improve our mood, make us less angry, relieve bodily aches and pains and reduce mortality.

Improved physical strength, endurance and a tighter waistline are also added bonuses to getting our gym on.

So the message is clear - get more active, but in moderation. Moving for even a small amount is better than sitting on the couch.

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Competition

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(Q) In which Co Down village is Dufferin Coaching Inn and Hall located?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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Competition winners

The winners of the Ground Espresso Bars vouchers are S Grills from Kilkeel, Colette McKenny from Omagh, Helen Holmes from Carrickfergus, Margaret Kennedy from Belfast, Martin McMullan from Lisburn, Sinead McParland from Belfast, Anne Groves from Belfast, Daniel Quinn from Tyrone, Chris Traynor from Belfast and Aileen Hurson from Dungannon.

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Easy Peasy Recipe

This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Vegetable Casserole

You will need:

1 large red onion

250g Chantenay carrots

½ swede

300g parsnips

2 baking potatoes

600ml boiling water

2 Quixo vegetable stock cubes

1 400g can Sweet Harvest chopped tomatoes with herbs