Until a century ago, one of the most pressing problems faced by all life on this planet was that of energy, which is why the bodies of all living organisms evolved to be energy efficient. It is precisely for this reason that the body does not tolerate what it sees as a useless part, eventually dissolves it and uses it for energy. You see this in action when you wear a cast for a fracture. When the cast is removed, you limbs are significantly thinner. Given that the muscles were not being used, your body literally digested them for calories. Being self-consuming sometimes takes on a different meaning! The same thing happens in reverse when you exercise a particular muscle—the more you work it, the more it responds by growing and getting stronger. Many of us are fairly physically active until high school or college, and then our lives become so sedentary that we can barely run 100 meters without having to stop to catch our breath. During those years of inactivity, the body sheds the muscular endurance and flexibility it had when it was in its prime. However, barring a small age tax, you can get back into shape with conditioning over a period of time. Your body is incredibly smart and very frugal—shedding away abilities that aren't being used, but also responding powerfully and quickly to training. So, that's the first rule on the path to better health. If you want strong calf muscles or big biceps, you have to train and, under the right conditions, your body will build them. Likewise, you will use up or lose it, whether it's physical ability or mental faculty. That is, use it, or lose it. None of this happens overnight, but the effects add up over months and years. As you start thinking about your health, you need to focus on what you do every day and spend most of your time with. What you do every day is what your body will become. Health Hack: Move Our bodies are designed for movement, so moving is good for health. Find ways to move every day, whether it's cycling into work, or walking to the grocery store and bringing back your shopping instead of ordering online. To make movement a habit, sign up for a fitness class to make yourself more accountable.
