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I never understood why people force themselves to do exercise that they don't want to do. Running seems to be the default option because it doesn't require any
by db39 5y ago
I never understood why people force themselves to do exercise that they don't want to do.
Running seems to be the default option because it doesn't require any equipment beyond shoes and you can do it almost anywhere. I've heard so many people sigh as they say 'I should really start running' or 'I need to sign up for the gym'. Why? You hated it last time you tried. What makes this time different?
There are tons of options. I often tell people to try a bunch of different sports and find something fun or interesting. It might take a while to find it, and a few tries to get into the habit of particpating. But it's worth it. Team and club sports are great ways to build some accountability with others too.
Live near water? Try joining the rowing team.
Like football (soccer)? Join a local 5-a-side team.
Basketball, mountain biking, strength sports, throwing, tennis... Watch the Olympics this year and watch some of the less-popular sports.
The benefit of choosing and participating in a sport is that you can then use other forms of exercise (like running, or lifting weights) as a means to improve your performance in that primary sport - which makes it more fun. You're working on a specific goal / metric. Rather than a loose goal of 'getting fit' or 'losing weight'.
- nindalf 5y ago> What makes this time different? Because persisting makes a difference. "It gets easier… Every day it gets a little easier… But you gotta do it every day — that’s the hard part. But it does get easier." - Pink Babboon
- db39 5y agoIn some cases sure, but it depends on your goals. If your goal is to run a marathon, then you need to run. If your goal is to become an author, you need to write. It's insane to force yourself to suffer when there are more fun and more sustainable options available to you. In my experience people making themselves run are attempting it for general fitness because 'that's how it's done', rather than as a sporting goal. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein
- eesmith 5y agoEinstein never said that. https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/03/23/same/ https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/03/23/same/ . And sometimes the sane thing is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. See British Airways Flight 9, where the pilots tried restarting the engines many times before it finally worked.
- watwut 5y agoI think that tendency to turn something that can he highly enjoyable (sport) into chore and moral failure if you dont effectively keeps people away from it. Sport is good for you. But there is no reason to force yourself into one you dont like or do what you find uncomfortable. You can combine sport with social, make it into familly activity or something that requires knowledge.
- Fnoord 5y agoYou can combine sports with listening to music or a podcast. That way, you arguably only lose time while changing your clothes (you need more than just shoes for running...) or going for a shower (you will sweat). I also found I sleep better when I do regular workouts. All of which helps with persistence. I tend to listen to certain uplifting music which I normally don't listen to much, such as old metal (example: Bolt Thrower) or minimal techno (example: Extrawelt). Right now, I'm waiting for my 2nd vaccine shot. 2 weeks after I got that, I'll get more into shape. In the past I used an app to help with interval training. Worked well. I quit with it but remained reasonably in shape. Then COVID-19 happened...
- nasmorn 5y agoI had only one day off running after my shot plus the day of. Obviously individual reactions may differ but 2 weeks is not necessary absent serious side effects