If Movement is Medicine…let’s talk about Dosing

I love words and language and how meanings of words get a little makeover once in a while.

So, this month, I’m having a think about ‘dosing’, because if ‘Movement is Medicine’ then we do need to ensure we are getting the right doses for our individual needs.

My son loves exercising and as he couldn’t take any weights on holiday this year (as if??), he took a skipping rope away with us instead. He doesn’t usually skip, but started skipping every day. By day 5 the complete numpty couldn’t lift his arms and had a stiff neck. And wondered why. Well, I said, sage that I am, you’ve overdosed on one type of movement haven’t you! Too much and too often. Numpty.

When we are prescribed any pharmaceutical medication, the dose is often very clearly labelled on the back of the packet. On most over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen, it’s usually 1-2 tablets for an adult and a maximum dosage given. It’s very broad of course. We were also told 10,000 steps, 5 fruit and veg a day, 30 different foods a month….all one size/dose fits all. But does it?

So, how do we work out our personal doses for our Movement Medicine?

Well, I am a great believer in the stealth-magic of little, often and consistent. It is absolutely by far the most boring approach! And boring is hard to do and stay consistent. But it can be a super power. And regular doses of a variety of movement are necessary, both unplanned (eg a spot of pottering in the garden) and planned (a regular scheduled session such as Pilates). We need to ensure we have not too high a dose of one thing at the expense of no dose of something else.

So, for me, September is always a better/kinder/warmer time for ‘New Year’ resolutions than January. This August I had a hefty dose of Vitamin D, relaxation and some frankly delicious pizza and not quite as much regular movement as usual. So, I am looking forward to being more aware of ‘dosing’ my movement with a better balance of Pilates, my weights, some jumpy impact plyometrics and for me personally, some more regular doses of getting my heart rate up to a steady pace…maybe I’ll start by micro-dosing on skipping…?