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Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

derekthompson.org

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Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#201

Post by pmarreck »

thefaux wrote: post #115
kstrauser wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife's a podiatrist. I can conjure what I've heard her tell a thousand people over the years: invest in arch supports. Shoot for the ones that run about $50 and are rigid. Don't start with the $500 custom ones, and skip the $10 soft ones you see at the pharmacy. Go to REI or a running shop or a sporting goods store and get those instead. My knees freaking killed me when I was running. I started using the supports…

Counterpoint: I am personally skeptical about the long term value of arch supports. The reason is that while they can undoubtably help with short term pain, they also inhibit strength development and introduce an unnecessary dependency (kind of like a software library). I am not disagreeing with your experience or discouraging people from using supports to deal with injuries. I am just questioning making yourself rel…

How the hell do you find time for eight miles of walking a day? I mean, that's just shy of a third of a marathon! I can only assume you're independently wealthy, retired, or have no kids.

(Beleaguered parent of a toddler here struggling to find ANY workout time, or the energy for it! It's killing me, literally and figuratively)

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#202

Post by blargey »

glitchc wrote: post #120

> This is a staggering return on moral investment. What exactly is moral investment and why should government be in the business of making moral investments, especially for foreign countries?

The expectation that a healthier globe = global economy will be healthier for the US economy, even if it's not literally an interest-bearing investment vehicle?

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#204

Post by Fogest »

thefaux wrote: post #115
kstrauser wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My wife's a podiatrist. I can conjure what I've heard her tell a thousand people over the years: invest in arch supports. Shoot for the ones that run about $50 and are rigid. Don't start with the $500 custom ones, and skip the $10 soft ones you see at the pharmacy. Go to REI or a running shop or a sporting goods store and get those instead. My knees freaking killed me when I was running. I started using the supports…

Counterpoint: I am personally skeptical about the long term value of arch supports. The reason is that while they can undoubtably help with short term pain, they also inhibit strength development and introduce an unnecessary dependency (kind of like a software library). I am not disagreeing with your experience or discouraging people from using supports to deal with injuries. I am just questioning making yourself rel…

I used to wear custom orthotics for a lot of growing up and into my early 20's. I definitely feel like it was something that I really could have gotten away without having if I instead had better shoes, and strengthened the muscles more. Unfortunately even the physiotherapist I had when I was young advised orthotics and didn't seek to treat the strength issue. Of course I was kid and myself and my parents were just doing what the experts told us.

A lot of my problem also related to back pain when growing up, and I realized also in my 20's how much going to the gym helped with the back pain. As my back got stronger via strength training, I no longer suffered from back pain. Additionally I invested more in things like a good office chair at home and ensured I had a good one at work.

Overall I no longer have back problems and no longer require any inserts in my shoes.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#205

Post by andrepd »

CooCooCaCha wrote: post #159
andrepd wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What on earth are you talking about? The text you quote says literally "wallowing in guilt over it would do nothing" and you're asking "How does luck deserve the feeling of guilt?"??? Surely I'm missing something.

Most communication isn’t a legal contract, and a lot of meaning is implicit, not just what is explicitly said. I’m not saying I agree or disagree with the statements you mentioned, but "wallowing in guilt over it would do nothing" implies wallowing in guilt is a natural or even expected feeling. The person you’re replying to is questioning why someone would wallow in guilt in the first place.

You don't see why people might feel something (including guilt) upon realising most of their place in life comes from luck and factors beyond their control?

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#206

Post by terribleperson »

lowestprimate wrote: post #200
terribleperson wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It can be really hard to get cardio without running. I still agree despite that.

Rucking will get you your cardio

Isn't this similarly hard on your joints to running, though, which is part of the problem with running when you're overweight? Or am I overestimating the joint impact?

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#207

Post by datameta »

aio2 wrote: post #148
datameta wrote: post #26

Walking is exercise. Never forget that. Consistency over sporadic herculean efforts always wins out.

Walking is definitely better than sitting down all day, but that shouldn't be the goal. Weight training and more intense cardio are more important.

The point is there are those for whom one of the only forms exercise within reach is walking but it isn't thought of as exercise. Not all people are able to do more intense cardio or lift weights. Regular walking can bootstrap the body toward other exercise.

Tai chi actually is another amazing tool - it is a dynamic calisthenics exercise that builds core strength, balance, and stretches connective tissue.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#208

Post by CooCooCaCha »

andrepd wrote: post #205
CooCooCaCha wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most communication isn’t a legal contract, and a lot of meaning is implicit, not just what is explicitly said. I’m not saying I agree or disagree with the statements you mentioned, but "wallowing in guilt over it would do nothing" implies wallowing in guilt is a natural or even expected feeling. The person you’re replying to is questioning why someone would wallow in guilt in the first place.

You don't see why people might feel something (including guilt) upon realising most of their place in life comes from luck and factors beyond their control?

You said “surely I’m missing something” so I explained it.

I thought I made it pretty clear I wasn’t offering an opinion on the subject, just explaining it

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#209

Post by movingontonext »

busymom0 wrote: post #156
kccqzy wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There were no restrictions on running or biking in the pandemic. Quite the opposite. Because indoor entertainment venues like bars weren't available, I saw way more people embracing the outdoors.

I am Canadian. Running, biking etc outdoor activities is impossible in our winters for 5-6 months of the year. Since gyms were closed, we also didn't have access to weight training which is also very essential.

Canadian here. This may be true for some (many) parts of Canada but certainly not all of Canada. For example, with proper gear you can run outdoors in Vancouver year-round. When I lived in the GTA, I routinely ran outdoors through late December and almost always resumed by mid-March.

Point being: dressing appropriately can extend your running season dramatically.

Re: Why Exercise Is a Miracle Drug

#210

Post by busymom0 »

movingontonext wrote: post #209
busymom0 wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am Canadian. Running, biking etc outdoor activities is impossible in our winters for 5-6 months of the year. Since gyms were closed, we also didn't have access to weight training which is also very essential.

Canadian here. This may be true for some (many) parts of Canada but certainly not all of Canada. For example, with proper gear you can run outdoors in Vancouver year-round. When I lived in the GTA, I routinely ran outdoors through late December and almost always resumed by mid-March. Point being: dressing appropriately can extend your running season dramatically.

Even in your example, there's a 4 month period where it's impossible. Snow + ice makes it dangerous to be running outside during winters. I have friends who run marathon and one has had knee surgeries and therefore afraid to run in even a little bit of ice.
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