STRUGGLING TO FIND THE MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE? BLAME YOUR BRAIN

We all know that working out makes us feel better. So why do most of us find it so difficult to actually do it?

Humans aren't the fastest or strongest species. We have no wings, fangs, claws, venom or armour. Physically, we're largely nature's also-rans. 'Also-ran' is an ironic term, though, because humans do physically dominate all other species in one area: long-distance running. Our bipedal gait and unique sweat glands mean humans can keep running long after other species collapse from exhaustion.

Basically, humans evolved to spend long periods physically exerting themselves that is, exercising. But while many people do indeed enjoy exercising, the less crowded gyms and abandoned New Year resolutions of mid-February reveal they're in the minority. Even though, as a species, we've evolved to do it.

Why? The baffling complexity of the human brain is to blame. Evolving an ability doesn't automatically mean we'll want to use it; after all, creatures with armour don't actively want to be attacked. Granted, physical exercise isn't that bad, but it's still typically unpleasant and uncomfortable. It has to be. You're pushing your body to its physical limits, which leads to significant discomfort - they're limits for a reason.

Another issue is that the human brain is highly sensitive to wasted effort. Studies have shown that it contains dedicated circuits, within the insula cortex, that calculate the effort required for actions, the likely reward we'll get from them, and ask "is it worth it?"