[kanobo]

For the main example given (exercise), I think for people like me there really is no thinking involved. It's purely an emotional aversion to discomfort and disenjoyment of physical activity. I think the better advice is to search for physical hobbies you enjoy rather than to 'just do it' (tm).

[bob1029]

I feel the other extreme is more acceptable.

For me, the biggest barrier to getting started on something is all the boilerplate and ceremony around actually doing the thing. Right now, I can go from a resting state in bed to sitting on my rower or running outside within 90 seconds. The same cannot be said for most other physical hobbies.

I rationalize it along lines of "If I start right this second, I can be done with cardio before 8am". For me, the time cost is way more painful than any physical cost. This ideology allows me to squeeze exercise into time windows that would otherwise be impossible if I had to travel somewhere or meet other people to engage in the activity.

Ultimately, I feel that physical fitness is about recognizing the benefits and engaging them at any cost until you are at a point where the cost becomes relatively negligible. The physical and emotional aversion are a temporary thing, and it will ultimately boil down to how much time you want to spend on your own health.

[generallee5686]

This is identical to how I feel. My advice to people who want to get in a routine of exercising is to minimize the barrier to entry. For me it was running. I leave my house and can immediately start the thing I don't want to do without having all this overhead to start doing the thing I don't want to do (going to the gym etc).

[zwieback]

I feel like that as well. Running isn't great for me but biking works - I can commute or shop and also get a workout all at once.

[cryptozeus]

Problem with this theory is that you may not always find hobbies that are equivalent to good workout. I.e. walking will not get your heart rate up.

[musicale]

> walking will not get your heart rate up.

It will if you walk up hills.

Even walking a few miles a day in flat areas is still good exercise; getting yourself outside and moving is a very good start.

I think walking to work or class is also good for thinking and getting your brain working.

Walking/hiking in nature is also great if you are near a trail of some sort.

[jonpurdy]

This is particularly hard during quarantine. As much as I dread lifting weights because of the difficulty, I love the feeling during and after.

But now that gyms are closed (I wouldn't go if they were open anyway), I don't have a good substitute. And bodyweight exercises take significantly longer to get the same "pump".

At the gym, I'm forced to get through the workout. At home, it's so easy to hop on the laptop during breaks between sets and get distracted.

[kanobo]

Running is bad for the knees and isn't really a great substitute either for most people. It depends on the person. The point I was making is that not thinking and blindly doing exercises you don't like is not the best argument to make the case in the article.

[Kirth]

Running badly is bad for the knees*.

[bluntfang]

you won't find a physical hobby you enjoy because you never "just do it" enough to find out if you enjoy any of it. It's a bit of chicken and egg. People who think they have "emotional aversion to discomfort and disenjoyment of physical activity" should probably seek therapy if they really want to change.

[kanobo]

I had no problem thinking about what I might enjoy and finding hobbies. Sorry to disappoint you that I don't go to therapy for trivial things and can't "just do it" and start running for no reason like forrest gump.

[bluntfang]

Not being able to exercise is no trivial. That sounds like a good topic to discuss in therapy. Why do you think physical activities are trivial? What makes you feel like you're better than others?

[Tade0]

I tried yoga, cycling, going to the gym - none stuck with me. I did try though.

I only really enjoy swimming - but it's too much work to prepare yourself for the pool - and carrying things - the other day me and a few frineds helped my other friend move ten station wagons worth of stuff - but that isn't a particularly healthy activity.

[watwut]

I used to have swimming stuff in bag all the time when not wet, so getting ready meant just picking it up.

[chepaslaaa]

go swim every other day you'll get more fun out of life

[bluntfang]

Excuses are a dime a dozen when it comes to exercise.