“The reason I exercise is for the quality of life I enjoy.”—Kenneth Cooper
As an exercise physiologist, one might expect that I love exercising. Nothing could be further from the truth. I like to say that my approach to exercise is much like the guy who is hitting himself in the head with a 2×4. When asked why he does it, he responds, “Because it feels so good when I stop.” Yep, that’s me.
I am (jokingly) distrustful of people who say they enjoy exercise. In my opinion, they are either not working hard enough or their brain is wired wrong.
Seriously, today’s post is about just doing something to get started exercising. We all need to be moving. What makes physical activity (i.e., movement, in general) exercise is that there must be a level of discomfort associated with it. Exercise, by definition, is physical activity that is performed for the purpose of improving one’s health, appearance, and/or performance. Central to such improvement is the “overload principle”—if a body system is to adapt (i.e., improve), it has to be pushed to a level greater than that which it is accustomed. In other words, you gotta take a few swings at your forehead.
The wonderful this about exercise is that as it becomes a habit it gets easier the more it becomes harder. Once the practice of regular exercise takes hold of you, it is hard to not exercise than it is to exercise. I find that I have mornings where the brain is saying “sleep”, but it the body that is saying “get your butt up and work out!”
Regular exercise has all the symptoms of a dysfunctional relationship—where one keeps coming back to the one who hurts them. But what is unhealthy in the Social dimension is encouraged in the Physical dimension.
Exercise requires a level of discomfort. It ought to be challenging. If today’s workout is easy, it is time for a greater challenge. Progressive overload. Do a bit more every day. You don’t have to overdo it (indeed you shouldn’t) but you must push yourself.
Our time is precious. Why spend it in wasted exercise effort. Be disciplined and intentional. Know your physical fitness goals and exercise accordingly.
If you don’t know how to exercise or what you should be doing, seek the help of a qualified exercise professional. Find a fitness trainer who is knowledgeable (fit-looking does not necessarily equate to knowledge) and who understands that exercise is individualized (i.e., be leery of trainers who train everyone the same—the “workout of the day” or WOD approach is only effective when all the individuals, such as with a “team of athletes”, have the same goals).
Within the needs of your goals, choose activities that are fun—but don’t have too much fun doing them. Work to a “pleasant sense of fatigue” or a bit more if you have more determined performance goals.
Bottom line? Be your best today; be better tomorrow! Carpe diem!
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”—John F. Kennedy