Published in 1977, 'The Book of Running' by Jim Fixx is a seminal work that helped launch the running craze of the late 20th century. The book provides detailed advice on the health benefits of running, proper running techniques, and how to fit running into a busy lifestyle. Fixx's personal journey from an overweight smoker to a dedicated runner is also highlighted, making the book both motivational and instructional.
Born to Walk challenges the prevailing notion that running is the optimal form of exercise for health and longevity. The book delves into the negative consequences of the running boom, including overuse injuries, ineffective weight loss strategies, and the promotion of an unhealthy lifestyle. It contrasts this with the natural human imperative to walk, highlighting the numerous benefits of walking for both physical and mental well-being. The authors present a comprehensive approach to fitness that integrates walking with strength training, sprinting, and other primal movements. Ultimately, Born to Walk advocates for a more balanced and sustainable approach to fitness, emphasizing the importance of listening to your body and prioritizing overall health.
The Primal Blueprint offers a holistic approach to living a healthy, vibrant life by aligning modern living with the evolutionary-tested behaviors of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. The book outlines ten 'Primal Blueprint Laws' that help readers reprogram their genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and boundless energy. It challenges conventional wisdom on diet and exercise, promoting a high-fat diet rich in plants and animals, frequent movement, resistance training, and other lifestyle adjustments. The book is supported by two million years of human evolution and contemporary scientific research, making it a practical and intuitive guide for long-term health and wellness[1][4][5].
I am joined by Mark Sisson for the wonderful occasion of a new book coming out—Born To Walk.
Tune in to hear us talk all about the book, from the title to what made Mark realize that this story had to be told, what the research about running has actually revealed, and why running is, in many cases, antithetical to good health for a lot of people. You’ll hear us talk about the fascinating research we discovered that supports this idea that humans were born to walk, and while we are able to run (and can run occasionally as a result of walking a lot, sprinting once in a while, lifting heavy things, moving around and moving through space and time), we were not born to run metronomic eight-minute miles every day, day in and day out as some means to achieving some longevity goal or some health goal.
As you will learn in this episode, the running boom of the last 50 years was built upon a House of Cards, and on the idea that humans are born to run. But, humans were not born to run—we were born to walk, and in this episode, you will find out why!
TIMESTAMPS:
We are looking at increasing your longevity through low level aerobic activity. {00:48]
The idea that running was the best route to longevity has been downplayed. [05:56]
Shoes have made big changes in the way people run. With the thick soled running shoes, there has been no decrease in running injuries. [08:03]
Everybody assumes that running is the sort of gold standard of weight loss, of achieving good health, of mental fortitude, and being able to overcome discomfort. [14:32]
What is so appealing about a marathon? [16:47]
There are much kinder, gentler ways to achieve great health, not get injured and support the other things that you're doing as part of your longevity program. [21:10]
Why doesn’t running and burning calories work in pursuit of reducing excess body fat? [22:27]
There are two kinds of fat. The subcutaneous fat which is simply unpleasant and the visceral fat which is terribly harmful for your health. [24:51]
They promised better results with new cushioned shoes but these shoes have done nothing to decrease injury. [27:21]
Understanding chronic cardio is so important in the endurance scene. You can take a good thing too far. [36:52]
Mark had to change the way he pursued his athletic life.
After retiring from elite competition, how did he learn to train at a lower level? [45:09]
The Ordeal of the Obligate Runner is the title of one of the chapters. What does that mean? [48:31]
What is the difference between being a sugar burner and a fat burner? [56:54]
There is research showing that if you just have a lighter shoe, you save four minutes over a marathon. [01:02:36]
We encourage you to walk but you need to learn the proper form. [01:07:06]
What is the primal approach for getting more energy? You don't need to run to give yourself immortality [01:18:27]
LINKS:
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