Need vs Want
Your body *needs* less exercise than you'd think to stay healthy, so long as it isn't incomplete exercise like yoga. (Yes, folks, yoga is NOT good exercise. It's one part of a complete fitness regimen, but yoga aficionados have tried to sell it as a total solution. It's far, far from a total solution.)
On the other hand, if you WANT a good physique... if you WANT to be physically FIT (vs simply "healthy"), then you need to do more. And - more importantly - you have to not fall into the "plateau trap."
What is the "plateau trap?" You can tell someone has fallen into it when they complain about how they "run 5 miles a day, but can't lose that last 20 lbs." Watch these people go for a run. It's the same, slow pace every day. They hit a plateau and will never move from it because they never alter their routine or even push themselves during their routine. If they fartlek during their run even once or twice a week, suddenly they'd see improvement.
I could write a manifesto on fitness. I was an MFT in the military, always scoring 300 on the APFT. At 46, I'm regularly accused of being in my mid-30s, even by doctors. I push myself when I exercise and it's like a drug.
Despite this, I continually get told by people in horrible shape how effective their yoga routine is, or how they don't need any help coming up with a fitness plan - they totally know what to do - despite this being the 10th consecutive year their New Year's resolution is "get in shape."
Here's a freebie to anyone on the board who wants to get in shape:
Start with this SIX MINUTE routine, six times a week, for two weeks...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GENMje1R4qEIf you can't commit to six minutes a week for two weeks, you'll never get in shape. Guys - if you are out of shape, start with a 20lb kettlebell. Gals, go for 10lbs.
Be disciplined. After two weeks, you will be ready for more.
