Getting back into exercise

[Mark]

Over at Self Sufficient Me, I posted an article about getting motivated enough to exercise called "getting back into exercise - The health and well-being mindset."

More specifically, I wanted to make people who carefully read the article think deeply about their approach to "why" they exercise. Is it for a specific purpose (like weight loss) or is for more general reasons (like just to be healthy).

Interested to know your opinion?

 

[Benn]

It is good to get back into exercise because it is an important task that we all should do. Normally people do exercise for losing or gaining their weight. So in my opinion we all should do exercise daily for fitness and a perfect body shape.

 

[senjow]

Exrcising and keeping fit for me is crucial to feel allright. Because of my work I can not visit gym regularly, but I keep shape by taking Military Grade Supplements which make me always ready for active workouts. The recovery time is impressive even after long breaks. I feel energized when I exercise and throughout the day.

 

[Mark]

When I was in the military "military grade supplements" was ham and egg in a can and melt-proof chocolate out of my one-man ration pack

 

[becky3086]

I need to definitely get more active. I used to think that people who said they didn't have "time" to exercise were just making excuses and most of them are making excuses but recently I don't have time to exercise. I have just too much going on and the little time I have is spent on other things that I am trying to learn or do (I have two instruments that I am trying to learn to play and a language I am trying to learn). However, I am going to work in some time each day, even if it is just 15 minutes so that I can get back into shape and feel healthier again.

 

[mouseinthehouse]

Up until last August I had spent the last 7 years doing a job which was the equivalent of a three hour gym workout 6 days a week! (I worked in a thoroughbred racing stables).
It was great because I never had to think about exercise - the job kept me very strong and fit. Now I have to rely on my gardening and walking the dogs every day.

 

[becky3086]

Yeah, that is the exercise I am getting. Gardening, feeding the animals and walking the dog. It just isn't enough.

 

[Greenyblue]

I exercise for my health - only got back into it a couple of years ago after doing nothing for about 15 years! I started off going to a gym one day a week, because in the past I had always jumped in full on and then quit after a week or two because I was too exhausted and sore! Now I go regularly and have kept it up. So that was the key for me starting really slow and easing in to it.

 

[nila11]

According to my thinking physical exercises are any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It's perform for various reasons including intensification muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of enjoyment.

 

[Steve]

Over at Self Sufficient Me, I posted an article about getting motivated enough to exercise called "getting back into exercise - The health and well-being mindset."

More specifically, I wanted to make people who carefully read the article think deeply about their approach to "why" they exercise. Is it for a specific purpose (like weight loss) or is for more general reasons (like just to be healthy).

Interested to know your opinion?

Mark I like the way you have a holistic approach to good living.
Fully agree that exercise is key to living well and living long. And trying not to be a burden on the health system is another thing i am very passionate about.

My goals do differ depending on the program I am following but really it all comes back to staying active so that in my later years I can still do all the things I want to do, whatever that may be (gardening, lawn bowls .... who knows?)
Yes I want to lose a bit of weight around the belly but my long term view is much more important to me. Longevity is where my target is set!

At the moment I am trying a new program where I chuck a DVD in and follow what they tell me to do.
This is really different to how I have done things since leaving the Army. I was a Unit PTI in the Army (part time physical training instructor) so was always the one writing the program for the troops and leading the way but now I just want to sit back and be told what to do for once.
The program is called P90X and is very American with lots of high-5's etc but I can see past that and so far I am really enjoying it.
It is basically 6 days a week with the days broken down to 3 weights, 1 cardio, 1 yoga, 1 kempo (martial arts) = 6 days.
So there is heaps of variety (very important to keep motivation and interest up) and good solid exercises.
I would rate it as 'full-on' and maybe not for the beginner but at the same time is caters for everyone. It does take about an hour a day but I really feel like it is worth every minute.

The program goes for 90 days (hence the '90' in P90X) so it is fairly long term but then you can simply 'rinse and repeat'.

So that's my view and might seem a bit too 'active' for some but this is what I am used to so it suits me. It may not suit you but that's ok. We need to pick an activity that suits us individually and we can keep excited about. Consistency and enjoyment, thats the key in my opinion.

 

[Mark]

Thanks Steve and I do try to approach life in a holistic kind of way because like you I think there's more to being healthy than just growing vegetables in your backyard - as good as that is

Your example about P90X is a great way of getting motivated to start or get back into exercise! Even you, an ex physical training instructor has found motivation in a DVD and I don't care where motivation comes from to exercise or why just as long as we are doing something.

We all struggle to get motivated to exercise for numerous reasons at one point or another - heck, I just about have to talk myself into going on my jog every second day and have done for the past 25 years! There's always a little voice saying put it off until later or the next day but you just have to find that motivation and get doing it.

I'm interested in the P90X exercise approach but I didn't want it to get lost here in this thread so for me and others who would like to read more about P90X go to the P90X Workout Program Discussion

 

[stevo]

ahh crap, there's fit poeple here, i need another wine .. .. i was reasonably fit til i dislocated my shoulder and have slacked off while it's recovering, not too concerned as i'll get back in to it...

 

[DarrylSpiers]

This is best thing to start exercise daily and i am happy that you are getting back into exercise. Keep doing regular exercise and make your body healthy and energetic.