Sweat Or Strain
Sun Herald
Sunday September 10, 2000
Thousands of Australians exercise regularly in a bid to improve their health and keep fit. But is exercising really that good for us? Are we in danger of becoming fitness junkies? JOHANNA LEGGATT asked two health and fitness experts to explain their opposing views.
A CASE FOR EXERCISE
MICHAEL Martin has been exercising for the past 30 years and if he misses a couple of sessions, watch out.
Dr Martin freely admits that without his fitness regime he isn't exactly the happiest guy to be around.
``I get short and really snappy and I just don't feel well," he said. ``I can feel this tension building inside."
Dr Martin is a sports psychologist with the NSW Institute of Sport and is well-versed in the benefits of exercising.
He usually does three aerobic-style workouts a week, either rollerblading or surfing, and he also lifts weights.
Dr Martin says there are many advantages to exercising that ensure a better chance at a longer life.
``Why rip yourself off?" he said.
``Exercise can decrease body fat, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. If you look at the physical effects of what it's doing, it's increasing the saturation of the neurotransmitters. They all have a positive impact on your mood, it's your body's way of producing a natural high."
Dr Martin believes exercise shapes both the physical and mental states.
``It makes people feel great and at the end of the day, that's what people are looking for," he said.
``There's also a strong cause and effect relationship and this has shown up in studies with stress, depression and the level of exercise you do.
``Exercisers typically have a good knowledge of the importance it plays in part of a healthy lifestyle."
Dr Martin believes exercise allows people to set goals and achieve them.
``It improves people's self-belief because you set out to do something and you achieve it and feel good about yourself afterwards," he said.
``When you're out exercising it helps distract you from whatever might be on your mind at that moment.
``And there's also the social interaction which has an overall pleasurable aspect that can improve mental health."
Although Dr Martin concedes that some people get addicted to exercise, he believes they are a minority.
``That's a reality; it does happen for a small percentage of the population," he said.
``But part of the reason you exercise is because you feel confident that you can do it."
Dr Martin said most people were not exercising to push past the pain barrier but rather to simply enjoy the opportunity to get outdoors or mix with people.
``A lot of people just exercise to maintain a lifestyle, they may exercise 20 minutes three or four times a week," he said.
``It does not have to be a painful experience."
A CASE AGAINST
IF YOU'RE too tired or don't have enough time to exercise don't worry; vindication has arrived in the shape of Barbara McGregor.
The 55-year-old editor of Well Being magazine is living proof that looking good and staying healthy doesn't have to be about spending hours in the gym working up a sweat.
Ms McGregor never swims laps in pools or pounds the pavement or participates in organised exercise.
She would rather take a stroll in the Botanical Gardens or renew her energy through Reiki (giving the body energy through your own touch) than sweat it out in a crowded gym.
``I would rather dance or flop around in the pool but I would never do laps," she said.
And she claims she has never felt better.
``I used to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome for a decade and that's what brought me to natural health because no-one in the medical profession could help me," she said. ``I was able to heal myself through macro-vitamin therapy and Reiki."
Ms McGregor is not completely opposed to the idea of exercise, she just cautions against people overdoing it.
``Moderation is the key," she said.
``People can get addicted to exercise especially if they're after lean muscle ratio. A lot of women who exercise too much actually stop menstruating because they lose so much fat their body actually thinks they are a man."
Ms McGregor goes so far as to argue that heavy exercise is unnatural.
``In nature, mankind didn't run because he didn't have to and he never ran to keep fit,"she said.
Ms McGregor said problemsarose when people pushed themselves past the pain barrier and became addicted to the natural high that results.
``Then we have these young people who burn out very quickly," she said.
``The people who push themselves beyond the pain barriers are not the ones who live long lives.
``Making yourself do something every day is to me extreme behaviour
``There's a lot of similarities in the psychological pattern of habitual marathon runners and anorexics."
Ms McGregor suggests people exercise while getting in touch with nature, either through Tai Chi or yoga.
She also recommends belly dancing (because it strengthens the internal organs) and ballroom dancing.
``I practise Reiki because it oxygenates the tissues," she said.
``It's better for me to find a quiet way to meditate and de-stress."
She also warns against exercising in huge blocks, saying it's much safer to do it in short 20-minute bursts.
``Binge dieting and binge exercising is counter-productive to your shape," she said.
``When people push themselves beyond their limits it can produce quite hard muscle."
Ms McGregor said gyms have their place in Australia but not as the focus of exercise.
``Non-competitive and non-combative forms of exercise contribute to longevity," she said.
``The body beautiful is a buzz term at the moment and it doesn't just apply to women.
``But I don't think it's conducive to a healthy mental state.
``The bottom line is if you're not enjoying your exercise pattern, don't do it."
© 2000 Sun Herald