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> So what do others in this tech-focused, often sedentary community do to stay fit? In my 20s nothing. Then I joined a soccer team, got in shape by the end of
by Jtsummers 2y ago
> So what do others in this tech-focused, often sedentary community do to stay fit?
In my 20s nothing. Then I joined a soccer team, got in shape by the end of the season, and lost it by the start of the next. So I took up running and other exercises with soccer (and the social aspect of playing with friends) as my primary motivator.
These days:
Afternoon/evening: Rowing and cycling are my main cardio activities, I have access to a pool but have had shoulder issues so haven't done much swimming in years. Running most of the year with the spring to fall weather here (CO), usually 3x5km a week more or less. Once a week right now because I'm training for a century ride so that's taking more time (cardio is almost there, legs are not).
Morning: Formerly, TRX suspension trainer and a yoga mat for bodyweight exercises. Now, weights with an adjustable dumbbell set going to 75lbs trying to push past some limits I was hitting with the bodyweight stuff. In the future (by end of summer) I want to find a routine that combines the two more effectively than I'm doing now but the dumbbells are helping me with some specific weak areas so that's the focus.
> But I rarely decide to exercise.
I don't exercise for its own sake, it's an enabler. And this is key to maintaining the routine for me. When I drop it for more than a couple months, I notice a decline in my ability to do things I want to do or even just get around in my daily life. My back gets worse, stairs get harder, and long hikes (in CO, at high elevation and with many elevation changes) become very difficult. I exercise so I can just go out and do whatever I want whenever I want without having to spend time thinking, "Can I do this?" I was in London and climbed to the top of St. Paul's and barely broke a sweat and never lost my breath. I don't want to be miserable when I do something challenging, or have to say no to something interesting because I can't (out of consequence of my own choices, versus when my back goes out on me and I'm just laid up).