Easy does it

Vegetarian Times, Jan, 2004 by Elizabeth Neal

In your September 2003 issue, you included a "Scoop" article ("How Much Is Enough?") referring to the "superiority" of intense exercise over moderate in regard to the cardiovascular system. I believe it would have been kind and productive of you to have mentioned that moderate exercise is more likely to be integrated into one's lifestyle, is less likely to raise cortisol levels, is more likely to burn fat for fuel and is less likely to cause injury through overtraining.

Every day a new report says how unfit everyone is at earlier ages than ever. Why won't anyone make the connection between our stress levels (we take fewer days of vacation than any other industrialized nation) and our cortisol (stress hormone) levels? It's obvious. Make a run for your neighborhood yoga or tai chi studio, enjoy some moderate exercise, shed fat, feel great and get some peace!

Elizabeth Neal

Portland, Oregon