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'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

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Re: 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

#3
post #2

I wonder how many people have been forced into a "sedentary" life style by COVID-19...

I tried to replace going to the gym by working out at home, invested in some weights etc. But at the end of the day, my motivation to work out at home is much lower.

Re: 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

#4
Marijuana was pivotal to me being able to live a life of daily exercise. I dropped 140lbs and run a daily 8k on trails from being extremely obese in the span of 2 years. If it is legal for you to try it I highly recommend it for its ability to help you push through mental blocks and it's appreciable aid in recovery.

Re: 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

#5
post #2

I wonder how many people have been forced into a "sedentary" life style by COVID-19...

Outside medical complications caused by actually getting COVID-19, nobody.

It is perfectly possible to get tons of exercise in your own home or apartment with no specific equipment. With an internet connection and free YouTube videos (dance, body weight training tutorials, et al) it is even pleasant.

People often make a big song and dance about how they "need" that $400 bike or $1500 running machine, or "need" gym access to do anything. This is all a self-induced fiction (although marketers likely deserve blame here too).

There might be limited truth for the top-1% of athletes who require highly regimented training routines; but for the general public nah. COVID didn't make you sedentary, you made you sedentary.

PS - I too don't get enough exercise. I'm not throwing stones here. My point is that I don't blame COVID-19 for my own [bad] choices. I could freely exceed all recommendations if I choose to without stepping foot outside but I don't, and I have to live with that.

Re: 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

#6
Anectdata of one:

Once Covid forced my startup to WFH, I started doing body weight exercise and using some cheap resistance bands I bought when I would have otherwise been commuting. Previously, I’d been a runner doing 3ish runs a week. I can’t tell you how much more energy and mental focus I have now that I’ve put on more muscle and am stronger.

The biggest change I made to get into the habit as a founder was giving myself the mental permission to work out instead of feeling like I should be working. And I’ve found that even with the time dedicated to exercise, I tend to get more done because I’m more focused. Lowering the barrier to entry with home equipment really helped me.

Re: 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

#8
post #2

I wonder how many people have been forced into a "sedentary" life style by COVID-19...

Outside medical complications caused by actually getting COVID-19, nobody. It is perfectly possible to get tons of exercise in your own home or apartment with no specific equipment. With an internet connection and free YouTube videos (dance, body weight training tutorials, et al) it is even pleasant . People often make a big song and dance about how they "need" that $400 bike or $1500 running machine, or "need" gym a…

You can definitely still get a workout, and I get probably about as much exercise now as I did before. But I don't have anything like the same strength training equipment so I think I've definitely lost a lot of strength as I can't do any heavy lifting.

Re: 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out

#9
post #2

I wonder how many people have been forced into a "sedentary" life style by COVID-19...

Quite a few - a big part of working out and sticking with it is social aspect for some - if you can get that - fun workout group - you are golden and chance of sticking with plan goes way up.

Plenty of studies back this up [1]

Comments that downplay this may not be from folks with fun and healthy workout patterns

Anyways - at least for me it’s been disruptive

https://experiencelife.com/article/strength-in-numbers-the-i...

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