It is universally true that the people who most need to exercise are least likely to do it. And if they look for guidance about starting, they see things that suggest 'that if they're just going to do a little, that's still good -- so start with two hundred jumping jacks, fifty pushups.... and then work up to actual exercise.'
I'm not one to talk, because I know almost nothing about it, and I'm one of those people who really needs to exercise. But I think the people who push exercise should at least acknowledge that there are people who don't like doing it, who don't foresee themselves ever getting a runner's high, and who have essentially given up on touching their toes from a standing position. And then, having acknowledged it, come up with something that those people can do, and be pleased with. No matter if its no more effort than the fit use in lacing their shoes.
I've been looking. Not much out there.
6 comments:
They do. They tell people to go out and find things they liketo do...walk, bowl, swim, dance, rock climb, garden, even clean house in a vigorous manner. Anything that is physical is the key and doing it on a regular basis as much as possible. It won't show up with great abs or lost weight, but it will make you healthier.
I'm talking about people who don't have a natural impulse to do those things, to do things in a vigorous manner. I recognize the basic implausibility of what I'm saying -- you have to do SOMETHING more than you're doing now. I'm looking for 'whats the minimum that a person can do and derive benefit from it'. Thinking for example of those anti-smoking things that say 'stop smoking today, and in 3 months you'll get 50% of your lung function back'. Do this today -- walk briskly for 10 minutes twice a day, fast enough so that your heart rate goes to 125% of resting - and your lung function will increase, your endurance will increase.
And then stop. No bright-eyed 'And now you're ready to climb the Matterhorn' statements. Maybe someday you will be, maybe you'll catch the bug. I'm thinking the most gentle slopes. A shoe salesman once told me that he told elderly people to just walk in a straight line for 100 feet - and they got benefit from that, they improved their breathing, their stability. That's the level I'm thinking of. Minimal, almost pathetic? Yes. But you have to start somewhere.
See,you just answered your own question. No one is going to tell you that you will live longer by taking a 10 minute walk...but you WILL feel better both mentally and physically.
Thats because I know it. But people who push exercise -- none of them seem to. The message they give is "You have to do X amount, otherwise why bother". And there likely is a level below which, you're not doing youself any good. But I would bet its a lot lower than many people, including me, think.
You are confusing sales hype with reality. If those programs were any good, they wouldn't HAVE to advertise.
Very common phenomenon in martial arts and user pay gyms.
IF you were to join MY gym, we would ask you to come in regularly. We recognize that nobody really LIKES to push themselves. But we need to get you out of your self indulgent "well, I would rather be watching TV" mode. By coming in regularly, you devlop friends, habits, and most importantly, a change from the toxic environment you are living in now.
Around here they do Mall Walking. They all meet at a little cafe where they have a light breakfast, and then do a few circuits of the mall. And back for coffee break. It becomes a social activity.
Don't have time? You don't have time to take care of yourself, you don't have time.
The key is to get out of the little hole you can't seem to exercise in, and expand.
Can't argue with any of that. I really can't. So I'm just going to pretend you didn't say any of it..
Okay, now it's going to fester in my mind. I hope you're happy!
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