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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

#101

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…

> Absolutely no soft drinks at all. I don’t get this - what do you drink then? You can’t literally mean you only drink alcoholic drinks? Is water not a soft drink? Surely you drink water?

"Soft drink" refers to soda.

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

#102

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…

> Absolutely no soft drinks at all. I don’t get this - what do you drink then? You can’t literally mean you only drink alcoholic drinks? Is water not a soft drink? Surely you drink water?

Likely they're referring to soda.

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

#103
post #78

"Do mostly cardio, but also some weights." Disagree. I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training. However, both should be done! Cardio is good for your heart. But it's easy and healthy enough to maintain a good aerobic fitness just once a week. Weight training keeps you burning calories and I think stre…

> I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training.

Is this, along with diet, sufficient to put on weight? I really need to gain 50 or so pounds at least and have never been able to do so. Even my brother, who routinely works out now is still pretty thin for his height. I've had a lot of people tell me you have to go to a gym for the equipment programs, but I'm not sure as it seems everyone tries to sell you something.

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

#104

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…

> Absolutely no soft drinks at all. I don’t get this - what do you drink then? You can’t literally mean you only drink alcoholic drinks? Is water not a soft drink? Surely you drink water?

Soft drinks generally refers to sugary soda drinks like coca-cola. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink

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

#105
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…

I've just kept going to the gym. If your local gyms are closed, obviously that isn't an option though.

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

#106
post #78

"Do mostly cardio, but also some weights." Disagree. I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training. However, both should be done! Cardio is good for your heart. But it's easy and healthy enough to maintain a good aerobic fitness just once a week. Weight training keeps you burning calories and I think stre…

> I'd recommend the opposite, do mostly weights and some cardio. You don't need to buy equipment, barbells etc., bodyweight exercises is weight/strength training. Is this, along with diet, sufficient to put on weight? I really need to gain 50 or so pounds at least and have never been able to do so. Even my brother, who routinely works out now is still pretty thin for his height. I've had a lot of people tell me you h…

I've done calisthenics for a lot of my life, I'm lean and strong (6'1" 160lbs). 50lbs is a lot and would be a serious gain even with weights unless you're really thin. I would focus more on ability, can you do 10 pull ups? Can you do 10 sets of 10 pull ups in a day? Can you do 50 body weight squats? Can you do 20 sets of 50 body weight squats in a day? Get those numbers up rather than having a weight goal.

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

#107

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…

> Absolutely no soft drinks at all. I don’t get this - what do you drink then? You can’t literally mean you only drink alcoholic drinks? Is water not a soft drink? Surely you drink water?

[deleted]

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

#108

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…

> 1. Absolutely no soft drinks at all

Yep, same here. I am bad about other sugars though.

> 2. Find an exericse regimen that requires you to show up, on time, and be accountable to others.

I just focus on regular workouts (bike rides in my case) with friends. We have a Wednesday night ride and a weekend ride every week. As you say, it's a habit. If I don't text location by Monday night, someone is asking me where the ride is. Likewise for the weekend. I keep fit on other days too so I don't hold up the pack.

> 3. DO NOT treat exercise as a priority.

I break from you here. But much of this is because I have a different attitude about exercise in general and that is:

4. Make exercise fun. If you find some activity you love doing, you look forward to getting your workout in as opposed to dreading it. For me, riding is not just physical well being, it's mental and sociological. For me, riding is a priority because having fun and hanging out with friends is a priority.

While all the above is mostly about cycling, I've been taking up kayaking now too and seeing a similar effect.

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

#109
post #37

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 alre…

Much like you, I found it's most important to find exercise that I enjoy. Cycling, yoga, kayaking, hit that button for me, but others like different things.

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

#110

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…

Riding my bike to work kind of filled in items 2 and 3 for me, since work requires me to show up, and I usually have nothing else going on in the morning that can interfere. In the evening, well, now I can only get home if I ride. Eventually it got to be a habit and then something that is hard to live without. I've substituted taking long walks while working from home.

YES, so much this.

When I worked from home for a few years and now again with COVID, I have to think about working out. When I ride to work it's just natural. I always thought of it as free workout because it only takes a little more time on bike than driving. Plus you save a bunch of money on gas and wear on your car.

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