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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

#31

Post by vcxy »

Someone1234 wrote: post #5
choeger wrote: 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'm certainly not a top 1% athlete. I might be top 1% in athleticism, but if you're restricting to athletes... Definitely not. There is no way I could make the same progress at home as I've been getting with my trainer for the past couple of years. Not a chance. Luckily he has a private gym where only one client is there at a time since covid times started, so I haven't had to test this.

But... Having your program tweaked constantly, form improved constantly, diet examined regularly, etc... Youtube isn't a substitute. And without equipment? With my trainer helping, maybe... With youtube? My fitness would definitely be worse.

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

#32

Post by bionsystem »

Insanity wrote: post #3
choeger wrote: 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.

Same here. I kinda liked swimming but now that pools are closed, apart from a short walk at lunch time (we have curfew in the evening) I don't do anything. Tried yoga but always scared to hurt myself, also I have very little room in my apartment to move... I can't run also because of body pain.

I'm surprised I only gained 4kg. But my whole body is itching and aching and I'm really feeling the effects of less physical activity.

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

#33

Post by geophile »

I hate exercising, but I do it religiously. I am 64 years old, and in the best shape of my life. Same weight (and weight distribution!) as in college, good muscle tone. I think three things were critical, for me:

1. Absolutely no soft drinks at all. Not with sugar, not with artificial sweeteners. Nothing. Just seltzer. I used to drink a LOT of Dr. Pepper, and was told that they were contributing to my frequent kidney stones. So I stopped cold turkey, 30 years ago. I've had, I think, two Dr. Peppers since then. (I try to avoid processed foods in general, but I'm not a fanatic.)

2. Find an exericse regimen that requires you to show up, on time, and be accountable to others. I want a trainer to tell me what to do, turn off my brain, and just do it. That external accountability is crucial. I could find crossfit routines online, but then I don't do them. (I tried that, early in the pandemic.)

3. DO NOT treat exercise as a priority. Because then it is subject to your other priorities. Instead, make it a habit. You don't schedule brushing your teeth, and it is never traded off for other activities. You just do it when you're supposed to.

When circumstances pull me away from my routine (pandemic, extended family emergency), I feel like shit. My joints get creaky. Certain muscles start hurting. I have no energy. This all goes away once I return to my exercise routine. I hate it, but I love having done it -- I feel so much better in general. The high point of my day is when I am walking OUT of the gym.

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

#34

Post by WalterBright »

boatsie wrote: post #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 lifte…

I don't enjoy lifting, but it's palatable if I put a movie on during the routine.

I do enjoy running. It's the highlight of my day. Took about a year of 3x a week before it started becoming enjoyable.

I'm no athlete, but I like the results.

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

#35

Post by bluntfang »

boatsie wrote: post #21
Someone1234 wrote: post #5

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 absurd to say that you're limited by body weight exercises. there are so many "scientific process" body weight regimes to choose from. barbell training has such a high barrier for entry for so many people when really most people just need to do something.

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

#36

Post by cmiller1 »

copperwater69 wrote: post #17

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…

> and wait for my fridge to be stocked with the right food

This also relates to another human brain screwup I was talking to a friend about recently. They wanted to learn to do something but were waiting to take a class when there were all sorts of good free learning resources available for that skill. Sometimes your mind doesn't want to do something and you rationalize "okay I'll do it when I have X Y and Z" but really you're trying to ignore the fact that the only thing holding you back is that you really don't feel like putting that work in, and having the perfect workout or starting a class won't necessarily change that. Sometimes we need to tell our brains to shut up and just do the thing.

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

#37

Post by soared »

geophile wrote: post #33

I hate exercising, but I do it religiously. I am 64 years old, and in the best shape of my life. Same weight (and weight distribution!) as in college, good muscle tone. I think three things were critical, for me: 1. Absolutely no soft drinks at all. Not with sugar, not with artificial sweeteners. Nothing. Just seltzer. I used to drink a LOT of Dr. Pepper, and was told that they were contributing to my frequent kidney…

Step 1 is actually finding the things that work for you. Your step 2 is the exact opposite of what works for me. Mine would be:

2. Find a way to work out by yourself, where no one else is aware. Cycling makes this incredibly easy, but I also drive back to the office at 7pm to use the empty gym for weightlifting. I work hardest when I’m only accountable to myself.

3. Find why you like exercise. I love it when I’m already stressed out, but if life is fine and easy I don’t excessive. Create stress so that working out can resolve it.

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

#38

Post by superflit »

lottin wrote: post #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…

I have to second and recommend this.

42 years. Obese.

Started doing this regimen.

Gained 10 pounds but got skinner.

I was so out of shape that I almost did not have muscle, just fat. Once I started doing my posture got better, sleep and everything.

I hate doing it but I love the results.

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

#39

Post by wussboy »

univalent wrote: post #25

Get a dog or two. Large ones. Takes the decision out of your hands. I have to exercise twice a day if I don't want everything in my house destroyed.

This is incredibly effective. I've walked my dog several thousand times in the last 10 years, and that is several thousand times I absolutely would not have been out for a walk otherwise

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

#40

Post by andygcook »

bonestamp2 wrote: post #13
andygcook wrote: post #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…

Did you find any body weight videos, books, or articles that you would recommend?

I liked most of the content from AthleanX. Here’s a body weight highlight real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKNIYblazQg

The host is informative without being too bro-y. He also talks about the physiology behind muscle movements which I liked.

The start to my routine was just alternating between a push day, pull day, and legs/cardio day with all body weight. I also worked in core exercise each day because I knew my abs were very weak.

For the first two months I really couldn’t do much beyond body weight. Once my own weight wasn’t making me sore anymore, I layered on the bands.

Sample push day: 3 x 12 tricep push-ups https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrq4_y_5vnA 3 x 12 wide grip push ups https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr6eFNNDQdU 3 x 12 pike push-ups (shoulders) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sposDXWEB0A

Push-ups with a hold for 3 seconds

With bands: Chest press https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3ccNPK-P4U Triceps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJaO-hCO2M

Pull day - tough to do without bands or a bar: 3 x 12 Chin-ups (fingers facing you) 3 x 12 pull ups (fingers away from you) Then I used a 5 gallon water jug for one arm dumbbell rows

Bands: This is a good video on back exercises for the bands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-9f_tULVVo

Happy to answer more questions. I’m admittedly not a pro, but I’ve definitely got stronger without getting hurt using the above. My main recommendation would be to just start with your own body weight and get into the habit.

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