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

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141–150 of 216 posts

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

#141
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…

If this is something that really concerns you, I would look to finding a good certified dietician if you can.

In my humble opinion, weight is not a good indicator of anything unless it's at the very extremes. I am hesitant to post my height and weight right now because that can be taken wrongly.

I think you are being proactive in YOUR health which is good! No one knows your body more than you. I hope this helps.

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

#142
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…

What will you do when you stop making progress? Once you get beyond the beginner level, progress will flatten out, and as you age it will go backward.

As a runner, just slightly older than you, I am getting dramatically slower, and certainly haven't made positive progress in ~6 years.

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

#143
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…

Building muscle will take resistance training of some kind. The most effective way is with weight training at a gym, but it isn't the only way. Bodyweight training can definitely help you put on muscle, it will just be a bit slower. There are some natural limits to how far you can take it, but by the time you hit them you will be way more comfortable and aware of where to go next.

As a fellow hardgainer, as the industry calls it, I would recommend weight training if you want to get it done within the year, but if that isn't an option yet, get started with bodyweight stuff.

No one is trying to sell you anything with general weight training, it's tried and true. Just forget the paid programs. Forget supplements, just eat well and regularly, and be mindful that you can only grow as fast as you can recover so sleep and food are just as important. If you aren't able to eat enough, you can train a bit less. It's all a balance.

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

#144
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…

imo Starting Strength is overrated, especially if you're just looking to improve health. Not everyone needs to powerlift. My go-to for science-based, reasonable exercise and diet advice is Renaissance Periodization. Nearly everyone on their team holds a PhD, does active research, and trains or competes at an elite level: https://renaissanceperiodization.com/team

I also think Starting Strength is overrated, and I always push friends who are new to barbell training towards Greyskull LP (it's like SS but incorporates AMRAP sets, endurance, and conditioning).

Having said that: Starting Strength the book is invaluable to people who need instruction on the major compound movements and don't have access to a trainer / friend.

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

#145
post #92

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.

Hilarious, marijuana is the one thing that reliably disrupts my otherwise quite consistent and healthy daily routine. It is my motivation's kryptonite, and has basically zero place in my life as a result.

Alcohol is my kryptonite. Even as little as one or two beers the night before and I find my performance suffers horribly. Marijuana not so much. A few puffs before dinner and I wake up feeling great.

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

#146

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.

For me it has worked great with a small Chihuahua, she is a great companion on my daily walks, when I miss a day I feel I let both of us down.

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

#147
post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And for someone in between. I can run or bike solo every day and push myself to new personal records (though I never did break the 23 minute barrier on a 5k run). But strength training (primarily bodyweight) and yoga (picked up after a back injury left me crippled for a good chunk of a year), for me, require some other factor for me to stick with it for more than a month or so at a time (which is better than none, bu…

For me, the biking and running is trivial to start and obligates you to finish. That is, if half way through a ride you want to stop... Well, you still have to get home. Weights? You just put them down and you are done.

Please re-rack your weights, taeric.

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

#148

Fellow programmers - If you have a standing desk but find it difficult to stand for hours, I highly recommend an under desk treadmill. I picked up a Treadly treadmill a few years ago and have logged hundreds of miles of walking while programming. It's thin and can easily slide under my bed, or be propped up against a wall when not in use.

Do you walk while typing? Or only while reading/thinking?

If you walk while typing is it difficult?

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

#149
The problem is having to commit in the 1st place. In many VR games, it’s near impossible not to do any physical activity. I find my males more consistent in working out with VR video games vs a traditional workout. The only downside is that VR workouts are cardio only

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

#150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And for someone in between. I can run or bike solo every day and push myself to new personal records (though I never did break the 23 minute barrier on a 5k run). But strength training (primarily bodyweight) and yoga (picked up after a back injury left me crippled for a good chunk of a year), for me, require some other factor for me to stick with it for more than a month or so at a time (which is better than none, bu…

Lifting is worth it for ze pump.

When you do da bicep curl, its da best feeling in da vorld!
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