#128 The Surprising Truth About Exercise with Professor Daniel Lieberman

Today’s episode will change the way you feel about exercise – and yourself. Do you ever feel guilty for taking the lift instead of the stairs? For swapping that workout for a lie in, or for having zero desire to run a marathon? If so, my guest has some reassuring words on why an aversion to exercise is completely natural. And some valuable advice on how we can overcome that to reap the multiple health benefits.

Dr Daniel Lieberman is a paleoanthropologist and Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. He has studied evolution and researched cultures all over the globe, to explain the science of how and why we move today. Whether you struggle to exercise or you’re a committed fitness fan, I think you’ll find his new perspectives on physical activity absolutely fascinating.

Among the many topics we cover in this conversation, Daniel addresses the following questions:

Can exercise really help you lose weight?

Does running ruin your knees?

Should we be running barefoot?

Is sitting the new smoking?

Do you need eight hours’ sleep a night?

Should activity levels decline with age?

I think some of his answers might really surprise you. I hope this conversation helps you feel better about the role of exercise in your life and have more compassion for yourself. I think it might just inspire you to move more, too.

Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/128

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