Hunter-Gatherer Fitness: Trust in Science!

How much should we walk daily?

Our lifestyle, as humans in the modern age, is far from that of our hunter-gatherer ancestors.

Duh.

I would guess that most of the 611 recipients of this email are like me in that the older you get, the more sedentary your life becomes.

Again, duh.

Research from the British Heart Foundation shows that we spend anywhere from 60-75% of our waking hours on our ass. Whether it’s at a desk, on the couch, or lying in bed.

I’ve been wrestling with this universal truth and wondering why I’ve let it slowly run its course on my own life. The truth is, it just seems to happen.

There is not really one particular excuse, we just seem to prioritize our time elsewhere than on daily movement. This is where the differences between us and our ancestors begin.

Obviously, their livelihood depended on a high degree of movement. Our livelihood, on the other hand, while it ultimately depends on our physical health, is not as dire on a day-to-day basis.

I can order my groceries with a twitch of my thumb. I can talk to my friends across the world from my living room. Hell, I can even climb mountains by just slipping on a VR headset. Technology is making us increasingly sedentary.

This is not a secret to you, I know.

Although not everyone has the time or desire to replicate the lifestyle of our ancestors, there’s no question it is more in-line with our genetic make-up. And certainly, more akin to a healthy existence.

I remember the first time somebody drew this connection for me. Instantly, something about it clicked. You can’t argue science and our genetic roots, right!

We’re not meant to be sedentary creatures. We weren’t created that way. But, somehow, modernity has turned us that way. And quickly!

This, in part, led me to start walking more. And, low and behold, making a conscious effort to move more led to a plethora of benefits both mentally and physically. It’s a big reason why I fell in love with the art of walking; why I’m walking across Indonesia now.

So, how much did our hunter-gatherer ancestors walk each day?

Although the distances covered varied widely depending on hunting and foraging routines, cultures, weather, seasons, ages, etc., most estimates indicate that the average daily distance covered was anywhere from 6 to 16 kilometers.

This works out to be around 8,000 steps per day on the low end. Or, if you’re speaking in time, that’s about 1 hour and 20 minutes solely dedicated to walking.

According to Mayo Clinic, the average American today is taking only 3,000-4,000 steps each day.

On the Papua Expedition, I’ll average somewhere around 35-40,000 steps per day. But I’m interested in making changes for the long-term – not just for the four or five months on expedition.

So, I’ll continue to use this space to promote walking – as a way to share the benefits it has brought me as well as to hold myself accountable for the well-being of my future.

I think we could all spare some time in our day-to-day lives for a nice walk about. What do you think?

We’ll get into the simple benefits of walking on another day. But, trust me, there are TONS! More updates from the expedition soon!

— Adam

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