For years, Mark Sisson competed as a professional runner and triathlete. He trained hard and conventionally, but realized that the "better" shape he was in, the more problems his body had: joint pain, digestive issues, tendonitis, etc.
Eventually he retired from competition and set out to find a way to remain fit, but healthy. His research led him to focus on the evolutionary path the human body has followed; How our physiology is designed and how our genes are wired.
What we discovered just in the last ten years is that much of how our body operates is with these genetic switches. You know, our bodies are the result of two and a half million years of human evolution, upright bipedalism based on certain ways of eating, certain ways of moving, certain amounts of sleep and sun exposure. And if we can dig deeply into all of the behaviors that created this recipe that we all possess to build a strong, fit, healthy, happy, productive human being, then we can combine the best of evolutionary biology and modern genetic science to kind of literally take responsibility for our health from this point going forward.
He published his findings in his work The Primal Blueprint which offers an exercise and nutrition program based on these evolutionary criteria.
This program was a big influence in enabling Chris to lose over 30 pounds back in 2011 (and keep the weight off since).
Key takeaways include:
- Play-based activities (sports, etc) more effective than gym workouts
- Intense short burst activity is more effective than prolonged aerobics
- Nutrition influences about 80% of your body composition (vs exercise)
- Cultivate a diet high in vegetables, fruit, saturated fat and (some) protein. Avoid grains, sugars, and processed foods.
- A healthy diet cuts down on food cravings and moderates appetite, preventing overeating.
- Exposure to sun and soil is important. As is sleep.
Now 60, Sisson level of fitness from practicing this program remains excellent and inspiring. His goal is to help people take greater control over their health. Through better maintenance and nutrition, he believes we can lead longer lives with less injury and disease, and be much less dependent on the medications and invasive procedure of modern medicine.
In a world of spiraling medical costs, underfunded health entitlement programs, and growing financial uncertainty, this concept of long-lived fitness at low expense seems an obvious and attractive investment to make.
For those interested in learning more, details of Mark's regime, as well as daily fitness insights, can be found at MarksDailyApple.com.
Click the play button below to listen to Chris' interview with Mark Sisson (30m:52s):
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