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

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21–30 of 216 posts

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

#21
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…

I hear this opinion on Reddit as well. Yes, it is possible to get "tons of exercise" on your own using body weight, but it is not the same as barbell strength training. You are much more limited because actual strength training is a somewhat scientific process of progressive overload--adding 2-5 pounds per workout to an exercise. You cannot do this easily/precisely with body weight exercises, and additionally there is a reason the barbell is shaped as it is--to maximize the ability to support and balance the weight.

The argument that nobody "needs" gym access is akin to arguing nobody "needs" restaurants--they can all just cook their own food. Or nobody "needs" grocery stores--they can just grow/raise all their own food.

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

#23
post #18

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.

How do you consume the weed for your runs and exercise in general? Edibles, smoke, or vaping? Just wondering.

To clarify preworkout I use .15-.2 of a gram of extract smoked out of a quartz nail and water pipe. I use a similar amount in the evening. I no longer combust any flower and breath much easier because of it. I did use RSO an edible concentrate on the begining to get through the pain in the evening I was eating 150mg-200mg thc in a gelcap in the evening. Vape cartridges are an option but I've never found one I liked. It's fair to not I have a very high tolerance and most people would not know I was under the influence, most people could use far less.

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

#24

A problem I had was letting perfect be the enemy of good. I wanted the perfect workout program and wait for my fridge to be stocked with the right foods, the day to be correct so my arms won't be tired when driving and my leg won't be too sore to push in the clutch. Eventually I just did it and sorted out those other details later. If you're in the same position I recommend immediate action. Like just go do 50 squats…

“A problem I had was letting perfect be the enemy of good”

That seems to be a big problem in the West as far as healthy living goes. People often either do nothing or they get obsessed with finding ever better methods until they get exhausted and get back to doing nothing . A little of bit very pedestrian exercises and eating reasonably ok food goes a long way. No need for being perfect.

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

#26
post #2

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

For me it’s the opposite. I can spend the time usually spent sitting in a car( which is very bad for my back) being more active.

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

#27
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I hear this opinion on Reddit as well. Yes, it is possible to get "tons of exercise" on your own using body weight, but it is not the same as barbell strength training. You are much more limited because actual strength training is a somewhat scientific process of progressive overload--adding 2-5 pounds per workout to an exercise. You cannot do this easily/precisely with body weight exercises, and additionally there i…

It's also not just about gyms. People who did sports (even if it was just playing badminton with buddies) have nothing that's even close.

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

#28
I went from pretty much never exercising in my life until I was 37 years old to working out 3 times/week missing only about 10 workouts in 3 years. I was completely sedentary, never played a competitive sport, was last place in my high schools "presidential fitness test".

I still do not actually "enjoy" it, but I made it a habit and kept motivation to go because of two things: progress and goals. As a beginning lifter, you make ridiculous progress that seems absurd (adding weight and becoming stronger every other day) which to me was really an amazing sort of "hack". I plan to write more on how motivating this kind of linear progress is and how to form a habit around it.

Now, even though I do not actually enjoy exercise, it has become a habit similar to brushing/flossing my teeth. Not particularly enjoyable, but something I just know I have to do.

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

#29
On this topic, I recommend reading (or listening to) Mark Rippetoe, a strength and conditioning coach from Wichita Falls, Texas, and author of Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training. He's got quite a few videos on YT where he explains his views on strength training, exercise and its effects on human physiology. While he can be bit controversial sometimes, he's also clearly very knowledgeable about the subject and very well articulated.

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

#30

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.

Arnold Schwarzenegger smoked weed for recovery in “Pumping Iron”
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