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Exercise, I've found, is probably the single most important aspect of maintaining "happiness." The problem is I can't consistently muster the willpower to bloc

Exercise, I've found, is probably the single most important aspect of maintaining "happiness." The problem is I can't consistently muster the willpower to block out an hour long chunk of time to go running or workout at gym. I found a lovely compromise, though: ### The Seven Minute Workout [1][2] ### It removes literally every excuse my brain can come up with not to work out. Too cold outside? Doesn't matter, you're not going anywhere. Not enough time? The time you'll spend coming up with excuses is probably longer than 7 minutes. That's like two songs on the songza workout playlist. Don't feel like changing? Doesn't matter - you can do it in the clothes you're in. Can't find the equipment you need? All you need is a chair, a wall, and a 7x3 clear space of floor. I figure it's much better to do this every day [3] than to go on a workout binge where I work out 2 hours at the gym on Monday, take Tuesday off, dread going there for 1.5 hours on Wednesday, take Thursday off, take Friday off because I'm still sore from Wednesday, take the weekend off because it's the weekend, and then forget about working out again. 1. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-minute-workout/ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/the-scientific-7-mi... 2. http://www.7-min.com/ http://www.7-min.com/ 3. http://dontbreakthechain.com/share/christiangenco/last-four/96970 http://dontbreakthechain.com/share/christiangenco/last-four/...

jkn 13y ago
Thanks a lot for this.
Consultant32452 13y ago
I wanted to add, in addition to your comment, that it takes surprisingly little exercise to make a dramatic change in your over-all health levels. Blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. can be significantly affected without becoming a gym rat. 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there makes a huge difference.
avenger123 13y ago
Going to the gym 3/4 times a week for an hour or two is a luxury I just don't have anymore. For those that have the room, the best solution is a home gym setup. I wake-up at 5:30 AM and am doing my workout by 5:45 AM or 6:00 AM. I don't have anything fancy - just a set of weights with a couple of bars, a Nautilus dumbbell set (where you can change the weights on each dumbbell via a dial) and dinky bench. I will likely add a rowing machine to this for cardio. It's still a challenge getting the habit in place but there is really no friction anymore. No time is wasted driving back and forth to a gym. No issues about finding the time. Doing 45 minutes, three times a week is great. Being a night person, waking up at 5:30 AM is still a habit that I am solidifying but the main reason for doing it this way is that I can do this for the rest of my life. I am hoping within 6 months this routine becomes ingrained as brushing my teeth in the morning.
chocolate_ 13y ago
I was skeptical, but now I'm impressed. I just had a great 7-minute workout in my clothes without leaving my living room. This will definitely become my routine when I don't feel like going to the gym.
- christiangenco 13y ago
  JOIN ME BROTHER! http://dontbreakthechain.com http://dontbreakthechain.com

jkn 13y ago

Thanks a lot for this.

Consultant32452 13y ago

I wanted to add, in addition to your comment, that it takes surprisingly little exercise to make a dramatic change in your over-all health levels. Blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. can be significantly affected without becoming a gym rat. 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there makes a huge difference.

avenger123 13y ago

Going to the gym 3/4 times a week for an hour or two is a luxury I just don't have anymore. For those that have the room, the best solution is a home gym setup. I wake-up at 5:30 AM and am doing my workout by 5:45 AM or 6:00 AM. I don't have anything fancy - just a set of weights with a couple of bars, a Nautilus dumbbell set (where you can change the weights on each dumbbell via a dial) and dinky bench. I will likely add a rowing machine to this for cardio. It's still a challenge getting the habit in place but there is really no friction anymore. No time is wasted driving back and forth to a gym. No issues about finding the time. Doing 45 minutes, three times a week is great. Being a night person, waking up at 5:30 AM is still a habit that I am solidifying but the main reason for doing it this way is that I can do this for the rest of my life. I am hoping within 6 months this routine becomes ingrained as brushing my teeth in the morning.

chocolate_ 13y ago

I was skeptical, but now I'm impressed. I just had a great 7-minute workout in my clothes without leaving my living room. This will definitely become my routine when I don't feel like going to the gym.

christiangenco 13y ago
JOIN ME BROTHER! http://dontbreakthechain.com http://dontbreakthechain.com