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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

#171

Post by radu_floricica »

A thing I realized recently is that the first 10-15 minutes of exercise per day are not for fitness, but for health. If you don't even do that, you're just getting less and less healthy.

This also explains the different advice we see here on cardio vs weights. For those first 10 minutes or so you're probably better off with cardio - you want a systemic exercise. After that, resistance training all the way.

Also if you do enough resistance training (say 20-30 minutes per day or more), you can skip cardio altogether.

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

#172

Post by machiaweliczny »

the_only_law wrote: post #103
throw7 wrote: 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…

The way to gain weight is just to eat like crazy. You eat dinner and before you feel full you drink you gainer. Repeat for all meals and you should be able to gain weight fast. The hardest exercises are best: squat, chest press, deadlift, rowing etc.

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

#173

Post by machiaweliczny »

meken wrote: post #16

I left my job a few months ago due to getting depressed from working from home so much. Since then, I’ve been searching for ways to “fill up the day”, as I’m not working for 8 hours anymore. I’ve been searching for some other “anchor” activity to base peripheral activities around. I’ve tried a bunch of things, but what seems sustainable so far is mostly doing physical activities. Between basketball, swimming, yoga, l…

I recommend trying more social activities like dancing, acroyoga, climbing or fighting(box, fencing, karate)

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

#174

Post by majkinetor »

3131s wrote: post #133
majkinetor wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is hardly something you recommend to anybody. If it works for you great, but for most people it could even be dangerous: 1. Marijuana promotes appetite (munchees is the name). Canabinoid receptor antagonist promotes anorexy. This might depend greatly on the marijuana strain (CBD vs THC vs ...) 2. Your state of the mind is different, you might even got hit by the car. If you talk about doing it after exercise, th…

You have no clue how many professional athletes use marijuana! It is not dangerous in the slightest. I would go as far as saying it is performance enhancing even. I am injured at the moment, but I can go run a sub 11s 100m for you right now, right after smoking.

Interestimg. Thx for sharing.

Dangerous not for health but due to less noticing environment, probably something irrelevant for pro atlets which have dedicated working spaces

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

#175

Post by hermitcrab »

Most approaches to losing weight require too much willpower. I have not got a lot of willpower. I wrote about my approach back in 2011:

https://successfulsoftware.net/2011/10/30/losing-weight-with...

And how to build a garden gym:

https://successfulsoftware.net/2015/12/17/how-to-build-a-gym...

I have been finding it hard recently with pandemic/xmas/birthday. But I do still manage to get into 31 inch waist jeans in mid-fifties.

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

#176

Post by hermitcrab »

TACIXAT wrote: post #106
the_only_law wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

I agree that weight is not a good a metric of fitness. Since the pandemic started I have had to stop my 1-on-1 kickboxing sessions. My weight hasn't changed much, but I have definitely lost muscle and gained fat. This became very clear when I tried on my swimming wetsuit. It went from tight around the shoulders and arms to tight around the waist!

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

#177

Post by riantogo »

For success with exercising try making it a habit first before you chase any exercise related goals (reps, weight lifted, calories burnt, distance etc.). Get a tracking app to keep track of the days you are showing up (Google calendar app has one built in called Goals). Show up daily.

Did only 3 pushups? Bench pressed only 40 pounds? Walked only half a mile? All good. The only thing matters is that you showed up. If you need a metric to keep motivated, track streaks.

Once the habit takes hold you will magically improve the type of exercises that you do and enjoy. You will see improvement in health and mood. The positive feedback cycle will push you further. Good luck.

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

#178

Post by jraby3 »

bionsystem wrote: post #32
Insanity wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Try P90X. There is one X3 workout called The Warrior specifically designed for tight spaces.

Look up Tony Horton on YouTube for some ideas.

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

#179

Post by m_a_g »

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…

I am trying to get my father to start exercising. He is 60 years old, and he has been sedentary for the past five years. Do you have any tips on how to motivate him and where to start?

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

#180

Post by labawi »

eigenschwarz wrote: post #127
zarkov99 wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How have you managed to keep your knees working?

That running, per se, ruins your knees as been debunked. Just search "running knees arthritis" and you'll find numerous recent (>2015) papers showing that running can be in fact protective. It's amazing how the body seems to follow a "use it or lose it" philosophy in almost everything.

I think it's important to note, that not all activities someone could call running are good for the body, and not all are bad for the body.

You can break bricks karate style and be fine, if you build up and take it slow and steady. You can also just tap or lift bricks 1k, 10k times per day and be fine.

However it won't end well if you use bad form, try to go max on day 1 (didn't build up), or try to break 1k bricks/day, every day¹.

Stupid running can be 1k-10k impacts per day with bad form (twisted joints), high stress (stomping on concrete), low regeneration (cartilage needs squishing for nutrients) - use it like this and you will lose it blazing fast.

¹ I kind of guess.

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