Live data from Hacker News

I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

happychasing.substack.com

81–90 of 169 posts

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#81
I never liked “working out” (though I like doing physical activity with friends).

A few months I had an injury followed by a long post surgical recovery (still under way). I am forbidden from almost all exercise until the surgery heals.

And I notice it! I don’t think as well, I sleep more, and I have trouble getting things done.

Now I am really eager to work out!

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#82

I do something similar though less taxing . I gave my brother an Apple Watch and we track each other's workouts but not competitively. Often, to close a ring, we'll WeChat during the walk; a chat or a podcast really takes the edge off of exercise. I also use the StrongLifts app to track workouts at the gym. Yep, I dropped three tech names. I'm surprised but they work. The key is daily effort. I close my rings every d…

How do you measure that?

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#83
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Either this is a flippant response or you've never been on an ebike. They are not motorcycles and require effort from the rider. The effort can be as minimal or as strenuous as you desire. If you measure by duration the effort is the same. If you measure by speed than one may exercise less overall but folks tend to make more ebike trips so there could be an offset there. It is ridiculous to question if there is any e…

This reply doesn't assume best intent. I've ridden many ebikes and the effort is so clearly lower, to the point that it feels about the same as walking 1-2 mph. Maybe I ride it differently than everybody else somehow.

too many variables to compare - assistance level, wattage, gear, etc.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#87
post #74

I started working out 6 months ago for the first time, with a personal trainer. I had tried a few times to do it on my own or with a friend, but with a friend it's too hard to coordinate schedules, and without a pro, it's too easy to get hurt (tore my shoulder up the first day and it took a year to sort of heal). Hiring a good trainer has lots of advantages: - you don't have to think about what you need to do - they…

I used a personal trainer for 3 years and I can't say I'd really recommend it. Definitely had it's advantages, but too many disadvantages to be worth the cost.

High turnover - I had about six different trainers during that time.

They all picked some random exercises for me to do whereas I'd rather have a well thought out schedule.

They are all flakey, lots of appointments cancelled last minute for "family emergencies."

Two asked me out on dates. I guess this would be an advantage for some, but I was interested in getting fit, not picking up men.

One was kinda mean to me.

I found going to yoga classes MUCH more useful.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reply doesn't assume best intent. I've ridden many ebikes and the effort is so clearly lower, to the point that it feels about the same as walking 1-2 mph. Maybe I ride it differently than everybody else somehow.

too many variables to compare - assistance level, wattage, gear, etc.

This is definitely my suspicion, I mentioned it in another comment. The e biking experience I have seems extremely assisted, but I bet that's at one end of the spectrum.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#89
post #82

I do something similar though less taxing . I gave my brother an Apple Watch and we track each other's workouts but not competitively. Often, to close a ring, we'll WeChat during the walk; a chat or a podcast really takes the edge off of exercise. I also use the StrongLifts app to track workouts at the gym. Yep, I dropped three tech names. I'm surprised but they work. The key is daily effort. I close my rings every d…

How do you measure that?

Your VO2Max? You can get a reasonable estimate using this - https://www.omnicalculator.com/sports/vo2-max. But if you really want to know, you’ll need to go to a lab that knows how to run the test. I’ve done a lab test a few times. They’re challenging because you will go to failure. Cost me, at the time, $150.

My test was on a stationary cycle vs. a treadmill. Which worked better for me as I have shit running form.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#90
post #29

I read a HN comment a while ago wrt running that said that motivation might come from saying "I want to see this beautiful place again" (where the running leads to.) instead of saying "I need to run because I want to lose weight" (or whatever). I'd like to say it works, but actually what was even more important for me was to change my thoughts about running. If you feel like running is a chore, you will never motivat…

> Also, how your body feels after a run, is one of the best motivators to do it again.

This is the only thing that works for me.

No matter what I do, I can't make myself enjoy the actual run. I failed Couch to 5K multiple times. During my last attempt, I got stuck on week 5 and--frustrated with my lack of progress--forced myself to the top of the hill I was struggling with. I almost passed out, but I felt incredible for the rest of the day.

That did it. Now I'm out there first thing every morning because I crave that feeling, and the more I punish myself during the better I feel after.

Post reply on HN