4 ms·

While I agree exercise isn't very effective to treat obesity, it is still healthy for you to exercise, even if it's not going to help you lose weight. There are

by neaden 8y ago

While I agree exercise isn't very effective to treat obesity, it is still healthy for you to exercise, even if it's not going to help you lose weight. There are a lot of people who are overweight who have healthier hearts and lungs then normal weight people due to exercise.

cflewis 8y ago
I can not give you more +1s. If your goal is to be healthy, and not necessarily be pretty, exercise is integral. You can be skinny and be unhealthy. You can be overweight and be heart-healthy, if you exercise. I am obese according to the BMI, but I run 3 times a week and my resting heart rate grazes into the "athlete" territory. My doctor is very happy. But I don't look it, that's for sure. I do not like running. I see it like brushing my teeth. I don't like it, but I do it because I have to if I want to maintain my body.
- adrianN 8y ago
  Are you concerned about your joints? Running is pretty hard on the knees even for skinny people.
  - ashtonbaker 8y ago
    I have always felt that this is a myth or misconception. Humans probably evolved as distance-running specialists [1] so it would be pretty strange if our knees were some sort of exhaustible resource as seems to be the popular idea. If people have trouble with their knees, I think there are lots of potential explanations, for example running too far or too fast before building fitness, which includes conditioning of stabilizer muscles in the knees, or poor running form caused by lack of fitness or encouraged by modern running shoes. I'm a bit biased, but I don't like to see the sport of running blamed for these things. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis
    - adrianN 8y ago
      Humans also evolved to be pretty much useless after their children (or maybe grandchildren) are self-sufficient, so being mostly immobile in your fifties is probably of little concern to evolution.
- SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
  While being obese and having a healthy heart is totally viable, it get's harder in the long run as age compounds with weight. Can you be healthier than the lazy? Oh yes, but the extra weight can catch up to you, regardless of lifestyle.
- metabagel 8y ago
  I recommend swimming laps, if you have a place where you can do that. It's a fantastic workout, and easier on the body.
tracker1 8y ago
It's worth noting at that level, it doesn't need to be huge activity... 5-10 minutes a day lifting all you can for a few reps (deadlift, sandbag lift-press, pushups, trx row) and a 15-30 minute walk will yeild huge benefits... you don't increase calories much, but your body response is pretty good. Eating towards keto macros if you are diabetic and at least intermittent fasting are really helpful too. Not snacking is the hardest part to start with. edit: as to the exercises, form over function... slow for both up and down movements. deadlift (hexbar if straight is too difficult) at near max weight for 4-5 reps. sandbag lift and press, go as heavy as you can handle, for as many slow reps as you can handle. (if you're over 25, increase the bag weight, go s-l-o-w, requires more effort) trx or regular pushups, 4 sets of 25 reps (100 total) trx row, or pullups, 4 sets of 25 (100 total) standing squat / deep knee bends (no extra weight), 4 sets of 25 (100 total) walk to the nearest convenience store, buy a bottle of water, walk back. Can generally get it all in well under an hour total. --- aside: yes, there is more that you can do, and you may want to increase from a walk to swimming, cycling or an eliptical a few times a week as you are able. there's also more weight training techniques you can do... that said, if you are over 2x the typical weight for your gender and height (mostly from fat), you are so far off, you can get away with just this. Also, if you are looking for just general health, it's a good place to start from.

by neaden 8y ago

cflewis 8y ago

I can not give you more +1s. If your goal is to be healthy, and not necessarily be pretty, exercise is integral. You can be skinny and be unhealthy. You can be overweight and be heart-healthy, if you exercise. I am obese according to the BMI, but I run 3 times a week and my resting heart rate grazes into the "athlete" territory. My doctor is very happy. But I don't look it, that's for sure. I do not like running. I see it like brushing my teeth. I don't like it, but I do it because I have to if I want to maintain my body.

adrianN 8y ago
Are you concerned about your joints? Running is pretty hard on the knees even for skinny people.
- ashtonbaker 8y ago
  I have always felt that this is a myth or misconception. Humans probably evolved as distance-running specialists [1] so it would be pretty strange if our knees were some sort of exhaustible resource as seems to be the popular idea. If people have trouble with their knees, I think there are lots of potential explanations, for example running too far or too fast before building fitness, which includes conditioning of stabilizer muscles in the knees, or poor running form caused by lack of fitness or encouraged by modern running shoes. I'm a bit biased, but I don't like to see the sport of running blamed for these things. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis
  - adrianN 8y ago
    Humans also evolved to be pretty much useless after their children (or maybe grandchildren) are self-sufficient, so being mostly immobile in your fifties is probably of little concern to evolution.
SketchySeaBeast 8y ago
While being obese and having a healthy heart is totally viable, it get's harder in the long run as age compounds with weight. Can you be healthier than the lazy? Oh yes, but the extra weight can catch up to you, regardless of lifestyle.
metabagel 8y ago
I recommend swimming laps, if you have a place where you can do that. It's a fantastic workout, and easier on the body.

tracker1 8y ago

It's worth noting at that level, it doesn't need to be huge activity... 5-10 minutes a day lifting all you can for a few reps (deadlift, sandbag lift-press, pushups, trx row) and a 15-30 minute walk will yeild huge benefits... you don't increase calories much, but your body response is pretty good. Eating towards keto macros if you are diabetic and at least intermittent fasting are really helpful too. Not snacking is the hardest part to start with. edit: as to the exercises, form over function... slow for both up and down movements. deadlift (hexbar if straight is too difficult) at near max weight for 4-5 reps. sandbag lift and press, go as heavy as you can handle, for as many slow reps as you can handle. (if you're over 25, increase the bag weight, go s-l-o-w, requires more effort) trx or regular pushups, 4 sets of 25 reps (100 total) trx row, or pullups, 4 sets of 25 (100 total) standing squat / deep knee bends (no extra weight), 4 sets of 25 (100 total) walk to the nearest convenience store, buy a bottle of water, walk back. Can generally get it all in well under an hour total. --- aside: yes, there is more that you can do, and you may want to increase from a walk to swimming, cycling or an eliptical a few times a week as you are able. there's also more weight training techniques you can do... that said, if you are over 2x the typical weight for your gender and height (mostly from fat), you are so far off, you can get away with just this. Also, if you are looking for just general health, it's a good place to start from.