10 Inspiring Health and Fitness TED Talks You Should Not Miss

Inspiration can be found anywhere; especially in abundant amounts over the Internet. TED, a nonprofit organisation devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading”, is known for its inspirational talks and life lessons from individuals that specialise in various domains, ranging from science to business to global issues. With thousands of TED talks that focus on Fitness, where does one begin? Here’s a list of 10 best health and fitness TED talks that will pave the way to a healthy and fit life.

Emily Balcetis: Why some people find exercise harder than others

Some people find it tougher than others to stick to their fitness and exercise schedules. Consequently, they often struggle to keep weight gain at bay. Social psychologist Emily Balcetis reveals that when it comes to fitness, a few of us think and see the world differently, but there’s a simple solution that can tackle this problem.

Christopher McDougall: Are we born to run?

Still not sure if running’s the right thing for you? Anthropologist and author Christopher McDougall puts his knowledge of evolution to use and explains how running stood early humans in good stead. The ones who ran were often the ones who survived. Humans, says McDougall, are built to move. Isn’t it time you started running?

Mick Cornett: How an obese town lost a million pounds

One of the United States’ midsized towns woke up to a harsh and huge home truth one day: Oklahoma City, over the years had become one of the most obese towns in America. Mayor Mick Cornett decided that the city and its people needed to become healthier to make Oklahoma a great place to work and live. Learn how a series of intertwining changes helped the city drop a collective million pounds (about 450,000 kg).

Matt Cutts: Try something new for 30 days

Haven’t you ever had that feeling that you want to try everything that’s possible when it comes to fitness? Yoga, spinning, marathons or kickboxing – how will you know what’s right for you if you haven’t tried it? Matt Cutts, an engineer at Google, reveals how trying one new thing every day for a month was a fun and rewarding experience. He believes that 30 days is “long enough to form a habit and stick with it”, but short enough to not drive you crazy if you don’t like it.

Nilofer Merchant: Got a meeting? Take a walk

A sedentary lifestyle can be crippling for your body in the long term, which is why experts suggest standing for intervals at your work desk to get healthier. Nilofer Merchant takes things further by suggesting that you forego routine sit-down one-on-one meetings and opt for walking meetings. Work towards those 10,000 steps a day and get your work done.

Jamie Oliver: Teach every child about food

Who hasn’t drooled over the awesome food that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver cooks up? But apart from giving us some great food, he is also fighting to reduce obesity rates in both, USA and UK. He gives us the bad news about obesity epidemic, tells us how much work needs to be done to overcome it and makes a passionate case for teaching every child about the power of food.

Julian Treasure: Shh! Sound health in 8 steps

Julian Treasure believes that the noisy world we live in is eating away at our mental health and may even end up costing lives. He puts forward an 8-step plan that will help deal with the “sonic assault” and restore our relationship with sound.

Dan Buettner: How to live to be 100+

Japan is the first country that comes to mind when one thinks about living for a 100 years. A human, on an average, lives to the age of 90, but most people pass away about 12 years short of that. Exploring this facet for National Geographic, Dan Buettner found four areas of the world where people have the longest lifespans. On investigating the secret to longevity and vitality, he discovered that genes and healthy choices aren’t the only factors that affect an individual’s lifespan; social interactions and cultural beliefs also play a huge role.

Luke Durward: How to make healthy eating unbelievably easy

After breaking his leg, undergraduate student Luke Durward decided to return home for a while. Once there, he used his time to mentor his little brother on healthy eating. He believes that only one thing can make healthy eating unbelievably easy: Removing poor food choices from the home environment.

Sandra Aamodt: Why dieting doesn’t usually work

Dieting is a part of life for most of us, but not many see long-term results. Neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt tells us her personal story about how the human brain manages the body. She explores diets, speaks about why they don’t work and emphasises on how they do more harm than good.