Charles Darwin rocks!
[Photo: JM Cameron]
November 24, 2009 marked the marked the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of the book with the highest impact in my life to date: Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. Not to trivialize this moment, but I like to think the publication was planned in conjunction with the oncoming winter and holiday season—it makes perfect sense to me.
Take a moment today to let this sink in:
Your body took 3.5 billions years of perfect, your family tree goes back 3,500 million years, and the core of your being was founded on algae, bacteria, and fungi. How cool is that? We are sooo lucky! In fact, next year I’m personally celebrating my 3,540th birthday. Shaka that!
Every remnant of your body and how it functions was put there to adapt to an environmental stressor. Single-celled organisms leaked molecules into the surrounding milieu as a primitive communication method. As cells clumped together to join forces, where the whole became greater than the sum of its parts, these communication methods became more elegant. Smell was born, hormones were born, and a whole host of communication methods were refined through the ages.
I love evolution!
Fast forward to modern day and consider what a normal day looks like for you. Are you moving around?
What are your daily activities, or lack thereof, telling your body?
As we bounce back from maybe too much food from the holiday break, remember, if you aren’t moving around, your body thinks hard times are coming and it wants to conserve energy. (Read: fat is not burned = you’re gaining unwanted weight.) Even just a quick walk around a few blocks or a short swim can convince your body otherwise—to convince it to stop conserving and burn those calories!
As we evolved in hunter-gatherer societies, we went from times of sporadic feasts after a plentiful spring, summer, and fall to times of famine, where the body clings on to every morsel it can get it’s hands on. How does you body know when to let go of stored energy (fat, glycogen, etc.)? When it chases after a boar! If you’re not chasing (or being chased), you’re telling your body to prepare for winter. And by not chasing boars, you’re also triggering an evolutionarily developed low-grade depression (the winter blues).
Remember the three biggest signals…
…to trigger our to body to decay (I’m using the word decay to mean immune system decline, muscle atrophy, loss of joint lubrication, fat store boost, and a depressed mood):
- withdrawal from social contact
- eating when you’re not hungry
- a sedentary lifestyle
While the holidays and winter go into full swing, remember to avert the three signals! You’ll feel better, you’ll tell your body not to decay, and you’ll come out of winter ready to chase that boar! And, I’ll try to do the same. Forgive me if you get a random email from me, I’m probably just trying to give myself more signals to not decay.
(Note: Clinical depression and disease are not my focus here, which often require medical treatment. In this post, I’m talking about the winter blues, colds, sore joints, unwanted weight gain, and the like. Although, many classic disease states are often layered over less-than-ideal life style choices and could be improved by altering your diet, exercising, and striving to ensure social connection. You’ve now reached the end of the fine print.)
Create a great day!
Further reading:
Visit previous posts in the Your Body is a Fortress series.
Like this post at Jane Be Nimble? There’s more on the way! Get them emailed to your inbox or via RSS.
I love it! I’m a big fan of evolution, too. I love how you’ve used our past as nomadic hunter-gatherers to illustrate a better way for us to keep healthy. I think that’s the largest part of the obesity epidemic sweeping the globe – people have forgotten that they are supposed to move, not just sit around all day and eat. Thanks for another great part of this series!
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Grandpa Comes Home =-.
Hey Jay!
When I was coming out of my undergraduate degree (in Human Nutrition), I realized it’s not really about nutrition – really – it’s about movement, getting out there, and connecting. I mean, really, we all know how to eat, we just need to get moving with our buddies! Thanks for *getting* my drift!
Hey Lori,
So…I’m really just an evolved piece of algae??? That IS pretty exciting! (or scary – ha!!)
The point though for me – is really to be active. It’s too easy to sit down…and stay there. With this post, I resolve to be more active every day!
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Hey Lance!
That really simplifies things, doesn’t it? We’re all really just very similar, highly evolved pond scum!
You are already really active, Lance, and that’s just great. It will go a long way to keeping you happy and content. Maybe that’s why you laugh so much – from all your workouts!!
Hi Lori!
Wonderful post and a gentle (?) reminder to get off of our evolved butts! I know if I don’t at least do some time on the treadmill every morning, I begin to feel 3,500 years old by the afternoon!
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Millie Wisdom – Fa-la-la Let’s Shop! =-.
Hi Suzen!
Good for you and the treadmill – and funny about feeling 3,500 years old… ;P
As a trainer/therapist, I feel people over-complicate exercise. A good walk around the block after lunch most days will go FAR! But, it sounds like, with you, I’m taking to the converted!
Way to go, Suzen.
Have a great day!
Hi Lori,
The whole process of life is amazing isn’t it? The human body is such a wonderful organism. It is resilient and adaptable. I was having some health issues a while back that were the result of not being very nice to the ol’ homestead for years. I started exercising and eating right and it took only three months of this lifestyle to wipe out YEARS of the other. Bloodwork was normal, blood pressure was normal – yes, the human body is amazing!
George
.-= George Angus´s last blog ..Lifestylin’ The New Blog Of The Week =-.
Hi George!
YES! That’s exactly it! Our bodies are resilient and adaptable, but over time, if we don’t give our bodies the movement it craves, decay starts to take over. We can’t let our bodies hibernate.
It sounds like you had an experience of your own a while back and you discovered how precious and amazing our body electric really is! Good for you!!! I love to hear those kind of stories – it really underscores how close better health can be (a few months away) if we just adjust a few of our habits.
Thanks a lot for sharing that with me – and kudos to you!
Lori, as a person whose background is in biology, the topic of evolution always sparks my interest and gets me going. Don’t get me started on spiritual evolution … LOL.
Great post. I’m always talking to my clients about how their animals’ ancestral history, and evolution, affects their current behavior. It’s easy to forget that we hooming beans are animals, too, and our own current situation is often governed, at least in part, by how we’ve evolved.
I have to confess, I am guilty of all three of the trigger behaviors … and have the tush to prove it.
Socializing more and eating less are things I can definitely control. Now to find ways that I can exercise without falling on my face, and I’m good to go!
.-= Gayze´s last blog ..Knit Wit: Sock Education =-.
Hi Gayze,
I’m totally on board with your comment about spiritual evolution. I *get* it!
I like your thoughts about animals’ ancestral history, too. From my perspective, when I hear about Australian sheepdogs living in a 1-bd apartment I want to cringe. They need to be CHASING COWS!
Just like us, really.
I really can understand how hard it is to avoid the triggers – as you know (annoying Ms. MS!!!). But I’m trying to focus on the two I can control, just like you. Way to stay positive, Gayze. And email me when you need a decay-buster!
As I was reading the checklist, I thought:
withdrawing (check)
eating (check)
sedentary (double check)
And then I realized this is not one of those lists where you want to check off as many items as possible. So I’m either on the path to decay, or hoping Darwin got it all wrong. A girl can dream, right?
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Adventure? Feeling Trapped in My Lovely Cocoon =-.
Hey Lisis,
Just remember, I didn’t write this for you, I’m wrote this for us!
Don’t stop dreamin’, Lisis, that stimulates your brain, too! And don’t fool me, lady, I know you can climb rope bridges like no one’s business.
Well, being from Costa Rica makes me at least part monkey (or sloth!).
“eating when you’re not hungry”
Wait, I thought that was the point of dessert. You’re telling me dessert is evolutionarily undesirable??
I could cry.
.-= Hayden Tompkins´s last blog ..Defender =-.
Well, Hayden, not if you’re burning off the sugar! Eat dessert, girl, eat away!! Then just go for a 30 minute power walk, or swim, or chase your husband around the block a few times!
And, no, I’m not implying he is a boar!
~xo
I walk because my clothes get too small and I hate shopping and I love chocolate.
That is my story about my simple evolution, I wish I was more complicated sigh.
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..A whole new world, a whole new community. =-.
Hi Wilma!
Well, that’s all you really need – chocolate, walking, and no complications.
I am jealous; I want to be you!
Great to see you!
~xo
Lori how did your writing month turn out? I am dying to know. Also, great job starting a store.
.-= Casey (North and Clark)´s last blog ..Why I almost Burned my Friend’s House Down While Filming a Kung Fu Movie =-.
Hi Casey!
] So, yeah, I’m told my guest post should be popping up over there sometime in the next two weeks. I’ll point you over there from here when that happens.
Hey, thanks for asking about my writing month! The short story is that I wrote the first draft of my novel (50,410 wds) in 19 days (shaka that, bradah!). Suzannah from WriteItSideways asked me to write a guest post about it, I agreed, then she had the audacity to go to the hospital to birth her baby! [jk
Secondly, thanks for your words about my store. I just love the arts and being creative, so I decided to get off my duff and do something to help. I may not be independently wealthy, but I’m hoping a few dollars here and there will add up over time so I can help someone out – or at least feature them at my store.
Thanks, Casey – apologies for my long comment!
Lori:
Wow, awesome post! This is great information and a great reminder about why our bodies do what they do. We are meant to move, socialize and not drink dozens of sugary drinks all day. Thank you for injecting your science background and appreciation for Darwin in your post. Thanks, once again, for a very well written and informative post!
Thanks Tim, I appreciate you’re awesome comment to me.
I love talking about science-related things – and Darwin is a legend! I’ve been wanting to write this post for a long time. When I saw the anniversary of his great work was celebrated last week, I decided now is the time.
I think the hard part, even for me, is that I *know* all this but implementing it can sometimes be the hardest part. Hence, that’s why emails from me sometimes randomly show up. Thanks for being the cool dude you are (or maybe, I should call you cool fungus?)!
Lori,
I used to eat such healthy stuff. I’m sliding backward. I’m going for a quick run now and then out to buy some carrots and beets…and a bottle of wine?!?
I’m procrastinating on weight training. I have such negative stuff in my head about it. The monkey mind continually wins this one. Any advice?
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..7 Steps for Climbing the Staircase to Joy =-.
Hi Tess!
Carrots, beets, and wine – NICE! Just think of all the phytochemicals you’re getting with that combo – EXCELLENT! To me, if something has nice, rich color, down the hatch it goes – no questions asked!
Now, about the weight training question:
You’re a mastermind, you put yourself through school, you’ve done some really hard things! If you can do them, you can do this. Each time you go, you’re telling your body not to decay – JUST GO, TESS! YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Stop the mind chatter and lace up those shoes!
Tess, I’m not buying it!
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Your Body is A Fortress, Part 7 – Work with Evolution: a Pep Talk =-.
Hey you guys, why do weight training if you are negative about it?
Have you ever done it Tess?
Is running not enough?
Just some questions from someone who is extremely proud that she does do Pilates and some walking, NOT running or any other dangerously hard things.
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..A whole new world, a whole new community. =-.
Hi Wilma!
Hey, thanks for asking. Might I add that you’ve come to the right place with that question! I may not be able to help you be “more happy” but coaching about fitness/health is my forte!
Kudos for doing Pilates and walking, Wilma. Since Pilates uses pulleys and ropes to push/pull, or even your own body weight, that is a very close second to actual weight training.
So, here’s the short story:
IDEALLY, YOU NEED TO WEIGHT TRAIN TWICE A WEEK. Running is an aerobic activity, but we humans also evolved lifting heavy things, building things (hoisting), and thrived over the years with a combination of running (chasing food) and carrying food around (gathering).
Again, since you’re doing Pilates, you’re pretty much there. As long as you continually challenge your musculature with added weight, which stresses your bones. The stress actually stimulates your bones to “fortify” and become stronger. Any weight-bearing activity does this. Some people even wear weighted vests when they walk to get a bigger benefit for their bones.
Wilma, if you have ANY questions about this type of thing, please email me. I spent much of my entire life studying how to feel better (I’m certified, too!). I’d be happy to help.
Go get ‘em, Wilma!
Lori, every time I come here I learn something new! You really are a wealth of knowledge. So what you’re telling me is that it’s not a good idea to sit in a corner on my own, eating a 10kg block of chocolate whilst sitting on my ass? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
.-= Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Daisy List #98. Surprise Someone with a Dozen Roses =-.
PS. Love the shop and love the concept behind it even more. xxx
.-= Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Daisy List #98. Surprise Someone with a Dozen Roses =-.
Well, I’ve never been called a wealth of knowledge before, maybe full of *something*, but not knowledge!
Reach out, get out, chase that cutie pie of a man around Australia, girl! Got get it! Email me if you want to connect – just think, you’ll be extending your life!
(P.S. Thanks for your comment about the SHOP – I’ll never know if I can do this until I start, right?) You’re such an awesome friend, Sami.
“Lori! This is blasphemy! Everybody knows that Humans were created under the command of God! There is simply not enough evidence to support the theory of evolution. ” – mr/ms ignorant
I like that you have a background in biology Lori. Because I was always fond of science. And I was always fascinated over the argument between the darwinists and the creationists.
Did you know that during the anniversary of Darwin, a popular creationist is set to release HIS VERSION OF “THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES”. His name is Ray Comfort if you want to search him up (in youtube or something)
His version basically includes a section prior to the actual content from Darwin, which includes things like how there isn’t enough evidence to support evolution, how many scientists oppose this theory, how Hitler was somehow linked to the theory of evolution.
Man, talking about him just infuriates me, how could he do that? It’s like taking a bible and adding a few pages before Genesis that’s about the Crusades, and sacrifices, and the conflicts between the Illuminatis.
Anyways, maybe we can have a discussion about how Science (specifically the theory of evolution) should remain the ONLY THEORY.
Steven
.-= Steven´s last blog ..Dynamite Interviews – The Guys =-.
Hi Steven!
You’ve really hit the nail on the head. Evolution is no longer a hypothesis, it is a theory. A theory based on exhaustive scientific tests and findings.
I just can’t even relate to anyone who doesn’t believe in evolution. To me, it’s like arguing that gravity is only a hypothesis and rocks fall from ledges because it’s ‘easier’ to fall down than up, or something like that.
I’m not saying people can’t hold their own beliefs – believe whatever makes the person happy. But when other’s beliefs begin changing how science is taught, or what is taught in schools, that’s when I get a little hot under the collar.
Creationism belongs in a religious studies class, not in a curriculum that teaches about science and biology.
‘Nuff said.
Thanks for your comment, Steven. It’s always great to see you here!
That’s interesting, because there are feral pigs in the woods near me (not as big and fierce as boars on, say, the Kenyan savannah unfortunately). I don’t have a spear, so I won’t be able to hunt them, but hopefully just running after them will probably trigger the same good neurochemicals.
Hi Chris!
Man, you’re funny – I could actually see you running around your local woods in a loincloth with a spear in your hand. It suits you. Of course, it’s probably getting to cold this time of year for that (ha, totally joking there…).
I’m glad you found this interesting. This is one of my favorite topics in life! I am fascinated by evolution and how humans evolved as a species. Thanks for reading and keep running!
