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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

#51
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.

I'm similar - really don't enjoy lifting (but still do it), but absolutely look forward to and enjoy running.

I've noticed a trend / correlation between people who are naturally thick / muscular tend to have that opposite disposition- they love lifting, and hate running.

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

#52
> Hadza individuals are about 12 times more active than the average American or European.

I find it hard to believe that these people make 60k steps daily, on average. Even if they make 2 steps a second, thats solid 8+ hours of rather brisk walking. If they walk more leisurely (not to mention gather something), it can easily be 10-12 hours of walking, unless I'm missing something.

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

#54
I've started exercising around the time the lockdown started. I had been doing some occasional bouldering for a couple months before that, but starting lifting, then starting more seriously (3 times a week at least, plus miscellaneous training on off days) has really been life changing. I am so much more energised, feel so much healthier (whatever that means) overall. I'm pretty happy I started early, but can't stop wishing I had started even earlier.

I recommend the HN crowd especially to give bouldering a try. It's climbing with a higher emphasis on power and puzzle-solving. Incredibly addicting, has a great feedback and gratification loop!

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

#55
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…

Irrelevant. Here’s the original comment:

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

You are not forced into a sedentary lifestyle if you have the time and space to do bodyweight exercises.

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

#56

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.

Could you elaborate on how it helps? This is so far outside what I know I don't even know what to ask more specifically.

By far the biggest help is how much easier it is to reach the zone. It is crazy how easy exercise is when you are lost in deep thought.

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

#57

I've started exercising around the time the lockdown started. I had been doing some occasional bouldering for a couple months before that, but starting lifting, then starting more seriously (3 times a week at least, plus miscellaneous training on off days) has really been life changing. I am so much more energised, feel so much healthier (whatever that means) overall. I'm pretty happy I started early, but can't stop…

Climber here, can confirm. I have never had to dig deep or play little tricks with myself to find the motivation to climb once the habit is established. I'm always looking forward to my next session, it's an intrinsically motivating activity. I've never been able to keep up a regular running or weightlifting routine for more than a couple months.

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

#58

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…

Were you in poor shape in your twenties or are you also taking HGH/test through your doc? The amount of testosterone your body produces at 20 vs 64 is massive.

Testosterone and no exercise produces more lean muscle, than exercising without it. Yes, it makes that big of a difference: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199607043350101

Thanks for sharing.

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

#60
I started doing resistance training (amateur powerlifting) about 7 years ago and have found a number of things that keeps it going for me.

* Routine is what makes it stick, if my goal is to do three days a week and miss the first day I often times end up skipping the week. But once I've gone that first day it's easier to maintain the rest of the week and to keep that going in subsequent weeks.

* Exercising for exercises sake is a bad motivator (for me at least). I like powerlifting because I can see programmable gains; I can easily gamify it for myself.

* Rest is important you need energy to exercise and if you don't rest properly it can become too much of a drain.

I'm a big fan of powerlifting, it's something you can easily do alone but also share ideas on forms and programs with people if you wish.

The health benefits are good as well both mentally and physically.

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