5 ms·
a) Most importantly, I would rather program, browse the web, watch TV or play games than exercise: any of these is a more enjoyable experience than exercising.
by zeveb 10y ago
a) Most importantly, I would rather program, browse the web, watch TV or play games than exercise: any of these is a more enjoyable experience than exercising.
b) Even ignoring my preferences, exercise is miserable. It is painful, unpleasant and sweaty. So not only would I rather do something else, I would rather not exercise. I know that some folks disagree, and that's fine. I don't, myself, want to spend an hour panting & sweating like some wild animal instead of engaging my brain like a human being (I'll admit that this is a character flaw, because it is).
c) I must get ready for and clean up after exercise, which is adding insult to injury: when changing & showering I'm getting no benefit from exercising, and yet not engaging in any activity I enjoy. So, in order to exercise I must devote even more time to doing something other than the items in (a).
I do exercise, because I ought to, but I hate, loathe and detest it immeasurably. If medical science would invent a pill which I could take and which would cause my muscles, organs &c. to undergo the proper chemical changes that exercise causes, I would take it religiously.
- icc97 10y agoI think a lot of people feel like this, but perhaps not as much as you - the things you mention are what most people have to push past to do anything. Certainly I do - although I do enjoy sport. I don't however think that sport doesn't involve engaging the brain. It depends what sport you do. Do just go for walks? [1] The other things are Yoga, Thai Chi or Martial Arts which have a lot of philosophy to them to learn, so you're using your brain. [1]: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27186709
- zeveb 10y ago> the things you mention are what most people have to push past to do anything Well, I enjoy programming, browsing the web, watching TV and playing games for their own sakes, without having to push past any lack of desire. If anything, not doing them is tough (well, I can take TV or leave it). > Do just go for walks? Honestly, that's my favourite form of exercise, because at least then I am able to think, and I don't sweat. And it's nice to see the flowers, smile at attractive MOTOS, smell the air. But it's not terribly good exercise so I do other stuff as well. I'd rather sit in front of a computer though.
- icc97 10y agoSorry I meant 'any kind of sport' instead of 'anything' Walking is actually is genuinely beneficial as exercise in itself [1] [2]. Just do more of that. I don't think it would help if you're overweight, but if it's maintaining fitness over decades then it sure works. [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17exercise-t.html [2]: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/stressed-at-work-try-a-lunchtime-walk/
- antisthenes 10y ago> I don't, myself, want to spend an hour panting & sweating like some wild animal instead of engaging my brain like a human being The fault with this thinking is that by catering to your short term preferences and avoiding long term gains (if you're not in shape already, exercise is the best investment you can make for your longevity, productivity and well-being) you're acting much more like a wild animal than a human being.
- zeveb 10y agoWell, yeah — that's why I force myself to exercise. But man do I loathe it.