Does anyone else ever wonder..........

Nice to see so many people passionate about this thread. Agree I Found many of these posts very offensive but glad to see the sanity brought back to this thread.

Nice posts as always Nancy.
 
I think that one of the reasons that so few people workout is because they see exercise as optional, not a necessity. Why do most people brush their teeth? To prevent cavities and gum disease and, generally, to stop their teeth from falling out before the age of 40. Noone brushes their teeth because it's fun--we do it because we want to protect the health of our teeth. Exercise should be seen in the same way: Published, peer-reviewed studies (some of them randomized, clinical trials--the most reliable form of scientifically demonstrated evidence that exists) have shown that exercise prevents obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure; it possibly prevents some forms of cancer and has been shown to help with depression and anxiety. So why shouldn't exericse also be considered a "should," just like brushing your teeth? I'm not talking about an all-out, full-blown commitment to an hour or more every day of the week, but just the bare minimum--moderate walking for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. In that way, I *do* see exercise as a "should." My 2 cents on the topic, of course. I understand the need for downtime, too--that has to be a part of life, as well.
 
Hi Bunbun,
Things like brushing your teeth fall into the category of grooming. If you want to work for a living in an environment where there are other humans, you're pretty much going to have to brush your teeth, bathe yourself, etc. or else you won't get hired or you won't be able to sustain your employment or any other aspect of your life. Exercise is just not in that category. Like it or not, it is entirely optional. And if it's not fun, you're not going to do it for the long term. I find that to be true of many things. The fun or happiness factor is what motivates people better than anything. Not such a bad deal when you think about it! :D

Well, I'm off to have some fun shopping! :D

-Nancy
 
I put myself in the category of the lazy TV watchers - that's why I HAVE to work out! I'd weigh 600 lbs. if I ate the way I wanted to all the time and never worked out because I'd spend every available free moment on the couch in front of the TV!!!!! I'm an absolute TV junky, and I'm SO happy because I got my new satellite radio and found that some of my favorite TV news channel shows are simulcast on satellite radio!!!

It's only by shear determination that I work out as much as I do, and that's not as much as some people. I do what I need to do to get the results I want, and no more! Certainly not 90 minutes every day!
Just Do It! :)
 
BunBun! I just wanted to say I completely agree with you. I think exercise is a "should." I love your teeth brushing analogy. To me it fits perfectly.
 
> So why shouldn't exericse also be considered a "should," just like brushing your teeth?
>I'm not talking about an all-out, full-blown commitment to an
>hour or more every day of the week, but just the bare
>minimum--moderate walking for 20 minutes, 3 times a week.

I agree that PHYSICAL ACTIVITY is a necessity for human beings, but that doesn't have to mean exercise per se. Some people walk and bike for transportation, they don't consider it "exercise," but they are getting benefits. Other people garden and landscape and wash and wax their cars and do their own at-home repairs and lift heavy objects during their workday and walk and wash the dogs..... While I do believe that some exercise is good for even these people, to counteract the imbalances that their activities have on their bodies, I don't think you can say that "exercise" is a necessity.
 
Agreed--I meant regular physical activity, not just formal exercise. I understand Nancy's point about "shoulds," too--life is too short to spend it being miserable doing things you feel obligated to do. On the other hand, I don't think that many people are going to fall in love with exercise/physical activity right off the bat and therefore not see it as a "should," at least at the start. But physical activity of some sort is such an important thing for health and therefore for feeling good in the rest of life, maybe we need to start seeing it as a 'brush your teeth' type of activity. I guess that's really getting nit-picky in my argument, though, no? :D
 
You know, I think alot of times when people say, "I don't have time to exercise" what they really mean is, "I don't know how to manage that in my life." Speaking from my own experience, I planned to lose weight a full year before I stepped one foot on a treadmill. l knew I was putting on weight and needed to do something about it but I has so many questions about health and fitness that I was overwhelmed at the thought of starting. What exercise do I do? How do I find a gym? What do I wear? Will I look like an idiot? Who do I talk to about it? It wasn't until I got an amazing opportunity - two month overseas vacation in a place that had a gym and a trainer - that I was able to slow down enough to get answers and get started. That's why when I talk to people about exercising I make sure to emphasize that it's really no big deal, anyone can do it.

Sorry for the ramble!

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
I've been on both sides of the argument. At one point in my life, a heavier point, I thought I had NO time to exercise. Then, amazingly enough when I finally decided I needed and wanted to do something I found the time. I'm not saying that everyone has time to be physically active but many do, IMHO.

Here's my day: I wake up at 5:30am, do my workout, shower and get ready, wake up my daughter and feed her. Get to work by 8am. Get home shortly after 5. Eat dinner, do dishes, give Brooke a bath and play with her until her bedtime, do other housework and paperwork for my DH's business and off to bed to wake up tomorrow and do it again.

Sure, I could sleep in longer but I'd miss out on my one and only hobby-exercise. I can't live without my workouts and I won't sacrafice my time with my daughter to do them. I just decided that for me I need to make the time to keep my sanity. But, if exercising wasn't something I thoroughly enjoy, it wouldn't be a priority and I'd sure be getting more sleep:)
 
You know, Bunbun, I was thinking about this while I was shopping. It occurred to me that I've always had this strong rebellious rule-breaker streak. As soon as I lay down a rule for myself, I immediately have to break it. I suppose its because my parents were "liberal" and had no idea how to lay down the law with us kids, and we all suffer from a lack of discipline and a lack of respect for authority. It's possible that my thinking of exercise as fun may be a scheme I devised for myself to work with my own emotional limitations. Anyway, it works for me.

In any event, I don't think it really matters much one way or the other. What was nagging at me about this thread was a sense of moral superiority I was sensing from some posters. Like exercise is the "right" thing to do, and they do it, so they're better than others. The judging is what really bugs me. I suspect my true intent was to be responsive to that, if that makes any sense.

Now I have to go post a new shopping thread :+

-Nancy
 
Sparrow, I think you are so absolutely 100% correct! I keep thinking back to the first time I went to a gym - I felt like an absolute 100% uncoordinated dork. I thought everyone was watching me as I slunk around with my "I'm a newbie" clipboard and for the life of me couldn't remember half the stuff I got during my "orientation."

Cheers,
Marie

PS: I'm not a TV person, but if I had my druthers, I would spend hours on the couch reading a book with my hand stuck in a bag of SOMETHING. Ergo!
 
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