I started lifting for self improvement and quickly got hooked on progression and getting stronger. It didn’t take long to become a habit and now it’s the thing I most look forward to after a long day of work. With no more than three hours per week you can completely transform yourself…
Lift heavy things! If you keep lifting them then you can lift even heavier things!
No joke, this is my favorite aspect too. It gets to a point where you start to enjoy the soreness.
It’s IRL character advancement. That’s the trick if you’re into RPGs. Sometimes you gotta grind for that XP.
A lot of the fitness apps have tracking for weightlifting. You get a little badge or animation when you hit a new max… I think there’s a missed opportunity here for a weightlifting RPG like walkscape is for walking…
Yes and then tracking, in great detail, exactly how heavy the things were and how much heavier they were than last time. Just incredible stuff
A couple ideas:
One of the best things you can do to be active is walk/run/use cardio machines for long stretches of time. So,
- Get some wireless headphones and catch up on some podcasts, albums, or audiobooks you’ve wanted to check out.
- If you have a convenient way to set it up, you can try to get an excercise bike or treadmill in front of a TV screen, and watch or even game while you’re active
- Find some trails nearby. It’s more fun moving around if your focus is on sightseeing and exploration, instead of exercising
But also, gamification can be fun. Stuff like,
- Last time I did 3 sets of 12 reps of 100 lb, can I do more this time? Get an app and keep track, aim to increase either reps or weight when you can
- Last time I went a half mile in 20 minutes, can I do it faster this time?
- Yesterday I walked for 5 minutes, can I handle 6 today?
- Can I piece together a workout from some exercises that I don’t hate? One that gives me push/pull/legs? One that covers certain muscle groups? That planning can be kinda fun
- Likewise with diet, get a calorie counter app and try to eat with intention. Think of it like a strategy game for min/maxing numbers. Can I get a slight surplus? Deficit? Can I get xyz grams of protein a day, or stay below xyz grams of sugar?
I got a recumbent exercise bike, a pawn shop tv, steam deck, and a steam controller. I play whatever is loaded on my deck while I bike, usually for about 30-45 minutes at a time.
Right now I am playing Fall Guys while I exercise, as it keeps me entertained on survival for ~10 minutes per game.
Soccer
I’ve recently taken up swimming. I’m much more inspired to do it if it’s an indoor facility, so the city rec center pass is inexpensive and then I’m inspired to go. Even if all I do is fart around on a pool noodle for an hour, I’m still moving, and the water makes the impact on my bad knee go away.
It became an addiction. It helps to relax. Not a gym rat. But almost. Need to go everyday. Far away to have those extra big muscles. But the “legs day” are… horrible… It hurts a lot…
No one needs to go every day. Recovery is important. 3 or 4 days a week is quite adequate.
I know… I push myself a lot not to go but it is hard as I think. I have put that moment as an enjoyable one. But no worries. I will have more work in the upcoming weeks so I will not go that so often…
There’s no “need” but after going to the gym every day for a couple months… Yeah you need to go every day. I start feeling restless if I don’t go do something at the gym. Mon-tue and thur-fri weightlifting (different muscle group every day) and the rest cardio/stretching/light weights.
I believe that is a different type of Need.
Boxing. Constant movement, hell of a work out, and you get to punch shit
Anything competitive works for me. Boxing, BJJ, rock climbing…
Actually “competitive” is the wrong word. It’s any sport where I’m not in control of how much effort I’m putting in. Eg running doesn’t work because as soon as someone beats me, I just stop trying
find an activity that you legitimately enjoy. that’s it
This is what I did. I joined a football league for fatties and it’s helping keep me active whilst not being massively outclassed by people younger and/or fitter than me 🤣 there’s no pressure to be ‘good’ at it, as the weightloss aspect of the game is more important.
Holy crap, How does one find something like that
And ideally also something that doesn’t require too much preparation. If it takes a long time to prepare for or get back after you are usually less likely to do it.
I’ve never enjoyed anything at all in my life.
So we need to harness your disdain and hatred and work with that…
what do you hate most?
Opinionated software.
Perfect, Grok it is
Get a sword and hit things.
well thats not going to happen.
activity causes pain and exhaustion, both things i am very much not fond of.
Have you tried biking? I like it because it’s so easy to zone out with (and easier on the knees than running).
You can buy a cheap standing bike and watch shows or read books; and, if you go outside to bike, you get the benefit of the sun and trees. If they have rentable electric bikes, those can make the exertion part easier (and, if it feels like cheating, it’s still more exercise than you’d’ve otherwise been getting; plus studies have shown that some people, with electric bikes, ride for longer periods than those who don’t because they’re having so much fun).
Well, shit.
Trial a load of sports. One will click.
wasn’t trying to be flippant or trivialize this but at the core it’s what is needed
I found that trying to distract or occupy my mind while trying to work wasn’t enough, for example watching a show or listening to music while using my row erg as a primary workout. Still found myself counting down the time and minutes
I climb shit. In the gym and outside. It feeds my inner child, it’s fun, it’s exciting, and it involves problem solving so stimulates the mind. Rowing and biking are now secondary exercises or activities to support my climbing fitness and ability. I find doing them with less intensity, less often, and as support (shorter duration) makes it easier for me to digest because I know it will better me for what I truly enjoy. Along the way you just may find yourself growing to accept, like or love something.
Kinda gotta find workable angles that suit your mind and goals. eventually you’ll have tricked yourself into becoming a healthy bastard who has some fun along the way
Sorry, I totally wasn’t trying to be dismissive either, but I think it came across like that. When depression gets bad it’s just hard to find anything enjoyable, and sticking with it anyway is real hard. I’ll just have to keep at it until something clicks I guess.
The other side of the coin is that it should be something that you do on a regular schedule with other people who you enjoy being around.
Fun and accountability are the keys.
Not the person you replied to, but I’ve also experienced depression. Just let me add that exercise doesn’t “feel good” either during or after a workout, but once it becomes part of the weekly routine, yes, let me repeat that- routine - the impact on mental health starts to show as well. It’s tricky because it’s not so much a “positive feeling”, instead, it takes the edge off the blues and anxiety.
I’ve also noticed the thoughts that swim in my head all the time tend to be more positive after a workout. This feels completely out of my control, if you ever tried meditation and found it really hard to clear your mind of thoughts you’ll know what I mean. But, for example, immediately after exercise I have a tendency to think or remember positive moments in my life or positive people. Worst case scenario, if I was on a trend of self sabotaging thoughts or constantly going over resentment and painful memories, those thoughts are likely to stop after a workout for a while. If I really want to I can of course think of whatever I want, but soon again I’ll catch myself with some positive thoughts.
My two cents. Hopefully this adds up.
I can emphasize.
I only found out with past 40 why that is, because I am a medically very curious case. Happy to have found out it’s not my fault but it still sucks the same.
This is the way.
I hike/walk daily with my dog. ~8km per day, although some days are shorter, some are longer.
is your dog Clifford?
No, not last I checked… Why?
still trying to get laid daily as a form of exercise…
Dance
Dance
REVOLUTION!!
(That rhythm game with the arrows on the screen and ground that you stomp on)
Work out watch star trek. By the season 4 you’ll be made of steel
Hold up. Which series? You starting with the original or with Next Generation?
That depends, how massive do you want to be?
Search apartments.com or whatever for places 1-2 hour bike rides from work. Move there.
…not joking, I’m fortunate enough in that that’s what I’ve been doing. Biking/walking to work is the only way I get any exercise (even though I can work from home). In winter months/if it’s too cold or snowy I’ll use the stationary bikes our work building put in to entice people back from COVID.
I have to have a purpose to exercise (other than health I guess?) otherwise I won’t do it.
I’ve never enjoyed gyms or traditional workouts, but yoga clicks with me.
I take my canoe out on a lake that’s 8 minutes from my house. Relaxing, and the exercise is a side effect.
I’m also delusional enough to think I can box so I hit the punching bag for 40 minutes some days. It’s a joke but makes me feel badass.
I’ve always loved sports; so that part’s easy, personally. But I’ve also learned to kind of savor the feeling of using my muscles and getting tired. Whatever I’m doing, or even on days where I didn’t have time to “exercise”, I make a point to check in on different parts of my body, maybe tense them or stretch; just trying to notice what feels good and then really savor that feeling. I find that building that mental practice helps motivate me to seek out exercise, or power through when I’m not really enjoying a particular activity.
Fast speed hike incline on treadmill
Put in earbuds, drum&bass
Disassociate for 1-2 hrs while staring at the food channel
