Exercise recommendations for obesity have been referred to as the mysterious case of a public health

guideline that is almost entirely ignored.

Governmental, scientific, and professional organizations call for at least an hour of exercise

a day for weight management.

But almost no obese adults meet this target.

A survey suggests American men and women watch TV ten times more than they exercise.

And for obese Americans, it may be even worse.

Just 2% even reach 30 minutes a day, and the percentage exceeding an hour a day is expected

to be close to zero.

Why don't obese individuals exercise more?

How about we just ask them?

When questioned, obese adults typically describe exercise as being unpleasant,

uncomfortable and unenjoyable. How can we break this vicious cycle where inactivity can lead

to weight gain, which can lead to further inactivity even more weight gain? The first thing

to recognize is that it is normal and natural to be physically lazy.

Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolutions, the title of a famous essay,

written by a noted geneticist,

Laisiness is in our genes.

We evolved to instinctually avoid unnecessary exertion to conserve energy for survival

and reproduction. These days, there's no shortage of available fuel, yet the hardwired

inertia remains. Our ancient ancestors exercised only when it was necessary or when it was

fun as a form of play.

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