NationStates Jolt Archive

COMMENTARY: Normally, I wouldn't say "told ya so," but this was just too, too right on to pass up!


Happiness Workout (http://www.realage.com/news_features/tip.aspx?v=2&cid=16566)

Gain a lifetime of happiness in just 30 minutes per day.

Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mood. A single workout can lift your spirits, and sticking to an exercise routine over time can lead to long-term improvements in overall well-being, quality of life, and your sense of control over life events. Strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

[ From Real Age (http://www.realage.com/ralong/qa/HI.aspx), the Internet's premier way to find how old you REALLY are! ]

I wouldn't mind seeing some statistics on that.
By how much is mood improved? How did they measure it? What is the variation amongst the test subjects? (Might it be some people actually get moodier, whilst others go delirious with bliss, averaging out to moderate improvement) Where's the proof?

i did an hour's workout down at my local gym three times a week for about 6 weeks a couple of months back in january. it just made me exhausted and fed up and sick of myself for being so fat and horrible. certainly didn't improve my mood. i say this is BS.

A word from l3erzerk: If every exirsived in the first place than they wouldn't be fat, So I guess that means they'd all be Happy HUH?!? Plp arn't gonna lose a bunch of weigh gettin up out of bed each mornin, no matter how hard it is....

A word from Nanashi: Physicaly active people do not get fat...

A word from Pigeons: Happiness is over rates, hehe. The more people sit around and get fat the more dependent they are on the government ;}. So I say Down With Exercise, let your government take care of you mwhahaha! Because We Love YOU... Hehe

COMMENTARY: Normally, I wouldn't say "told ya so," but this was just too, too right on to pass up!

Gain a lifetime of happiness in just 30 minutes per day.

Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mood. A single workout can lift your spirits, and sticking to an exercise routine over time can lead to long-term improvements in overall well-being, quality of life, and your sense of control over life events. Strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
I'll take this one point at a time:

No shit.
No shit.
Or you could get real control over life events by spending that half hour doing something to sort your life out.

I used to get regular exercise, and only stopped when I started at uni. Then I just didn't have time/couldn't be arsed, yet I've never been happier.

A word from Nanashi: Physicaly active people do not get fat...Sumo wrestlers mustn't be very active then.. :rolleyes:

A word from l3erzerk: If every exirsived in the first place than they wouldn't be fat, So I guess that means they'd all be Happy HUH?!? Plp arn't gonna lose a bunch of weigh gettin up out of bed each mornin, no matter how hard it is....

A word from Nanashi: Physicaly active people do not get fat...

A word from Pigeons: Happiness is over rates, hehe. The more people sit around and get fat the more dependent they are on the government ;}. So I say Down With Exercise, let your government take care of you mwhahaha! Because We Love YOU... Hehe

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/gen135.gif

i did an hour's workout down at my local gym three times a week for about 6 weeks a couple of months back in january. it just made me exhausted and fed up and sick of myself for being so fat and horrible. certainly didn't improve my mood. i say this is BS.
I bought into the whole "exercise to improve mood" thing about a year ago. Since then, I have exercised a minimum of 30 minutes a day every day, and I have noticed no improvement in my mood. I still work out, mostly because there is a history of heart trouble in my family and I want to do everything in my power to improve my heart health, but I've given up on trying to use exercise to cheer up.

In my experience, people who like exercise find it cheering. People who enjoy physical activities will be happier if they get to do physical activities. I don't see that as some big revelation.

COMMENTARY: Normally, I wouldn't say "told ya so," but this was just too, too right on to pass up!


Happiness Workout (http://www.realage.com/news_features/tip.aspx?v=2&cid=16566)

Gain a lifetime of happiness in just 30 minutes per day.

Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mood. A single workout can lift your spirits, and sticking to an exercise routine over time can lead to long-term improvements in overall well-being, quality of life, and your sense of control over life events. Strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

[ From Real Age (http://www.realage.com/ralong/qa/HI.aspx), the Internet's premier way to find how old you REALLY are! ]
Sounds like you've been conned, my good friend.

people who like exercise find it cheering. People who enjoy physical activities will be happier if they get to do physical activities. I don't see that as some big revelation.
amen.

COMMENTARY: Normally, I wouldn't say "told ya so," but this was just too, too right on to pass up!


Happiness Workout (http://www.realage.com/news_features/tip.aspx?v=2&cid=16566)

Gain a lifetime of happiness in just 30 minutes per day.

Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mood. A single workout can lift your spirits, and sticking to an exercise routine over time can lead to long-term improvements in overall well-being, quality of life, and your sense of control over life events. Strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

[ From Real Age (http://www.realage.com/ralong/qa/HI.aspx), the Internet's premier way to find how old you REALLY are! ]


Does a 30-minute boinking count? Because So far, I'm happy as a clam. :)

exercise sounds like a good idea until you're doing it.
exercise is masochistic. *yay! i won another donut!*

Exercise sucks. I walk. Lots, and on occasion over 2 hours a day, because I don't have a car. Walking in the rain/blistering heat for that long does not put me in a good mood, and I doubt further physical exertion would improve that at all.

Exercise sucks. I walk. Lots, and on occasion over 2 hours a day, because I don't have a car. Walking in the rain/blistering heat for that long does not put me in a good mood, and I doubt further physical exertion would improve that at all.

Here, have a solar scooter. :)
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/photos/solarscooter_040923.jpg

Here, have a solar scooter. :)
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/photos/solarscooter_040923.jpg

Awesome! :D

But then, hmm. How will I get my exercise?

Awesome! :D

But then, hmm. How will I get my exercise?

When you get where you're going, do jumping jacks. :)

When you get where you're going, do jumping jacks. :)

Excellent! And I shall wear an extremely tight spandex outfit while doing so. (free advertising :p)

Exercise sucks. I walk. Lots, and on occasion over 2 hours a day, because I don't have a car. Walking in the rain/blistering heat for that long does not put me in a good mood, and I doubt further physical exertion would improve that at all.
Uhhh...that's actually exercise. You're already doing it!


I can't believe they still have to do studies on this. It's so bleeding obvious! Exercise makes you feel better, promotes endorphin release, alleviates depression (as effectively as drugs in some cases), strengthens bones, helps your metabolism, improves your sleeping patterns/sex life, helps build resistance, strengthens your immune system, etc etc etc

There's really no excuse not to do it, ppl.

OMG, me and Eutrusca agree on something. :eek:


Ohh...and that reminds me. Since Eut's no doubt going to read this thread, it saves me pm'ing him.
Eut: I read today that Saw Palmetto (serenoa repens) was/is a Native American herbal remedy used for urinary problems, but has since been found to be useful in treating enlarged prostate gland (BPH). Obviously you'd need to talk to your doc about this, but anything that might help, right?
some more info:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030315/1281.html

i did an hour's workout down at my local gym three times a week for about 6 weeks a couple of months back in january. it just made me exhausted and fed up and sick of myself for being so fat and horrible. certainly didn't improve my mood. i say this is BS.
First off, 6 weeks in January? When did this happen?

OK, jokes over. everyone can stop laughing now. Back to serious topic:
6 weeks isn't long enough to see dramatic improvement, esp if you were only going 3x a week - and were you definitely going 3x a week, every week for 6 weeks?
Even if you were, that's only 18 times. 18 hours of exercise to overcome how many years of inactivity?
Sorry if this sounds cruel, but I mean it as a 'take a long-term view of this' jab, rather than a '18 hours aint gonna do squat to your flabby butt' jab.

Did someone give you a proper w/o to follow, and did they take you round and show you exactly how to do everything correctly?
If no to either of these two questions, you were wasting your time. Totally wasting your time. Get yourself to a gym where they will fit a program for you (and not just give you one that they give everyone - look to see what everyone else is doing. If it's the same exercises, the trainer's shite) and importantly, have trainers on the floor that you can approach if you need help and advice. The gym I go to doesn't have this and I see ppl doing exercises so wrong it makes my eyes water.

Did you go alone? If so, you really should find a mate (or g/f :) ) and encourage each other to join. That way, you have extra motivation and won't feel as out of place. It gives you someone to work out with, and those days when you don't feel like it, they're there to drag you down to the gym.

Read about exercise, build your knowledge. It helps if you know what you're doing, why you're doing it and what muscles are being worked (trainer should also tell you this, but extra knowledge is always good). Also, DON'T listen to guys in the gym, w/o asking them what quals they've got. Guys (esp middle-aged ones) love to show off, yet most haven't a fucking clue what they're doing and have got strong almost despite their exercising, not because of it.
Middled-aged guys are the worse. Age is creeping up on them, they're no longer the strongest there (no longer top dog), so they prey on young weaklings (almost pedophilic like, which is really creepy more one thinks about it) they can 'tutor' to show how to do various exercises - in reality just a chance to show off how strong they are. Thing is, they not. They do their exercises with heavy weights, but have to swing to do them. It's painful to watch.
I've been to lots of gyms in different countries and there's always - ALWAYS - a guy like that in each and every gym. I think there's a company somewhere that makes them and ships them to the gym when it opens.
"Oh good, the creepy fat old guy who likes to show young men how strong he is has arrived. We can open the gym now!"
(BTW, I actually do have some exercise quals, so you can listen to me!)

Finally, don't compare yourself with guys who look like they live in the gym (Most of them do, btw). It takes years (or steroids) to get to that size.
When I first started, I was a sack of dough. I weighed 200 pounds (90 kgs) and I remember I could just bench 40kgs (90 pounds). There were guys there benching 300+. I felt like a big bag of suet next to them, but instead of giving up I just set myself targets.

I first wanted to bench 60kgs (a plate on each side), then my bodyweight, then 100kgs (2 plates each side), then 250 pounds (another added advantage of weightlifting is that I can easily swap between pounds and kilos now), then 300 pounds, then 140 kgs (3 plates each side), then 1.5x my bodyweight, then 150 kgs, then 350 pounds, 180 kgs (4 plates each side), then 400 pounds, then 200 kgs. Now I want to bench 450 pounds, then twice my bodyweight (I'm now 235 pounds) and finally (maybe) 500 pounds.

Ok. I admit it, I'm obsessed. REALLY obsessed.

Point being is that I just set myself long-range goals and worked towards them (in little steps too). And now, I am one of those big dumb looking guys in the gym who look like they live there. (I don't, but I haven't been going as much as I should). Same with my aerobic fitness. I sat on the rowing machine and set targets for myself. Do so much in 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, whatever. Next week, try to bet those targets. In a month I want to be able to so much in this time limit. etc etc etc.

It's your body, so you set the targets that you feel you can achieve.

Excellent! And I shall wear an extremely tight spandex outfit while doing so. (free advertising :p)

Bouncy giblets. How attractive. :p

Exercise sucks. I walk. Lots, and on occasion over 2 hours a day, because I don't have a car. Walking in the rain/blistering heat for that long does not put me in a good mood, and I doubt further physical exertion would improve that at all.When i was a kid, we exercised alot only we called it play.Find something that you like doing that combines physical activity,preferably outside and do it and you'll be surprised how good you'll feel after. The word 'Exercise 'has such a obligatory feel to it.Play,my man,play.

I exercise my intercostal muscles all the time :), apart from that the only other exercise is with my right hand :p

I do at least an hour of walking a day, and half an hour of weights to an hour and a half a day, and i have never been happier, mind you i also have a kick ass girl friend, school is nearly finished, and well i have a teddy bear. :)

When i was a kid, we exercised alot only we called it play.Find something that you like doing that combines physical activity,preferably outside and do it and you'll be surprised how good you'll feel after. The word 'Exercise 'has such a obligatory feel to it.Play,my man,play.
But see, that's the thing: there are some people who don't really like that sort of physical play. Some people prefer to play chess, or read books, or type on internet forums. Some people just don't like to be physically active. I don't see that as any more or less odd than the fact that some people enjoy reading books in their free time while other people do not.

I'll admit I don't find exercise to be as repugnant as I used to, but I still doubt that exercise itself causes a good mood. Perhaps the knowledge that they're doing something healthy and "good" is helping to boost the person's mood?

I hate physical excercise... But I really do feel happier after partaking in it.
Not that that's enough to keep me doing it regularly lol :p

I'll admit I don't find exercise to be as repugnant as I used to, but I still doubt that exercise itself causes a good mood. Perhaps the knowledge that they're doing something healthy and "good" is helping to boost the person's mood?
Most likely. Also, we live in a culture where being "healthy" (read: thin) is excessively important. Thin people are not only portrayed as more attractive, but also as more moral. Fit people are seen as virtuous, strong, desireable, and good. Fat people are not only unattractive, but are also dirty, selfish, and immoral.

Small wonder that people view themselves and their lives more positively when they feel they are pursuing the "healthy" ideal.

But see, that's the thing: there are some people who don't really like that sort of physical play. Some people prefer to play chess, or read books, or type on internet forums. Some people just don't like to be physically active. I don't see that as any more or less odd than the fact that some people enjoy reading books in their free time while other people do not.Yes,That's true, I actually prefer reading alot myself, but there are times, especially on a sunny day when the outside world with its' sunshine and soft breezes calls to me and i succumb to it and get on my bike or slip on my rollerblades and voila i am ''exercising''. You see it's not that hard!The body is made for movement,move it,move it..dance i say!

Yes,That's true, I actually prefer reading alot myself, but there are times, especially on a sunny day when the outside world with its' sunshine and soft breezes calls to me and i succumb to it and get on my bike or slip on my rollerblades and voila i am ''exercising''. You see it's not that hard!The body is made for movement,move it,move it..dance i say!
Again, I am quite sure this is the case for you, as it is for many people. I, too, enjoy plenty of physical activities, so it is not difficult for me to find "fun" ways to get exercise.

However, there are plenty of people who don't feel the outside world calling in quite the same way. That same sunny day would invite them to go outside with their book, or to sit quietly and watch the birds at the feeder. Not everybody enjoys biking or rollerblading, just like not everybody enjoys playing checkers or reading. It is irrational to expect that everybody will be able to enjoy the same activities that you do, no matter how much fun you have...people are simply different. I see nothing wrong with that.

When i was a kid, we exercised alot only we called it play.Find something that you like doing that combines physical activity,preferably outside and do it and you'll be surprised how good you'll feel after. The word 'Exercise 'has such a obligatory feel to it.Play,my man,play.

I used to do Karate, but then I got glandular fever.

And i'm allergic to any other type of sport. Any of my friends will tell you that. I don't find them fun, and i'm terrible at them. Actually, in fact, last time I played football, I nearly fractured my skull. I think i'll pass and stick to computer games, thanks. :) :p

I used to do Karate, but then I got glandular fever.

o.O

And they were related... how exactly?

I hate physical excercise... But I really do feel happier after partaking in it.
Not that that's enough to keep me doing it regularly lol :p

I dislike excersise, the boring kind with the running and the weights. If I actually had a life and had friends then perhaps they could drag me out for some physical activity but I don't. I certainly have no motivation to go out excersise by myself! ;)

Again, I am quite sure this is the case for you, as it is for many people. I, too, enjoy plenty of physical activities, so it is not difficult for me to find "fun" ways to get exercise.

However, there are plenty of people who don't feel the outside world calling in quite the same way. That same sunny day would invite them to go outside with their book, or to sit quietly and watch the birds at the feeder. Not everybody enjoys biking or rollerblading, just like not everybody enjoys playing checkers or reading. It is irrational to expect that everybody will be able to enjoy the same activities that you do, no matter how much fun you have...people are simply different. I see nothing wrong with that.I agree with you insofar as the fact that some people just are not the physical types, that some prefer quiet contemplation and observation,all i'm saying is that it's good sometimes to step out of one's comfort zone once in a while and experience something from another perspective.Physical types benefit from sitting still once in a while and quiet people need to run amok occassionally.'IMHO' anyway.

o.O

And they were related... how exactly?

Glandular fever completely drains your energy, you always want to go to sleep

Glandular fever completely drains your energy, you always want to go to sleep
Well, then it might be best to give up Karate in favor of the newest martial arts form: Snooze Fu. You learn how to evade your opponent by falling asleep and dropping to the floor very rapidly, as well as lulling them into a false sense of security by snoring comically loud. Then you drool on their shoe.

I used to do Karate, but then I got glandular fever.

And i'm allergic to any other type of sport. Any of my friends will tell you that. I don't find them fun, and i'm terrible at them. Actually, in fact, last time I played football, I nearly fractured my skull. I think i'll pass and stick to computer games, thanks. :) :p
Surely you have a bike though? Just go out for a ride for an hour or so - free exercise.

I'm just being hypocritical. I never get any exercise, except walking to uni and back. Now it's the holiday, I'll get even less, as I'm stuck indoors writing my dissertation. And posting on here.

Well, then it might be best to give up Karate in favor of the newest martial arts form: Snooze Fu. You learn how to evade your opponent by falling asleep and dropping to the floor very rapidly, as well as lulling them into a false sense of security by snoring comically loud. Then you drool on their shoe.
This defeats them how exactly?

...as I'm stuck indoors writing my dissertation.
Oooh, a fellow sufferer! Not wanting to derail the thread, but what's your general subject?

Surely you have a bike though? Just go out for a ride for an hour or so - free exercise.

I'm just being hypocritical. I never get any exercise, except walking to uni and back. Now it's the holiday, I'll get even less, as I'm stuck indoors writing my dissertation. And posting on here.Walking to Uni... I don't even do that. I roll out of bed and I'm practically in class already...:p

This defeats them how exactly?
Um, hello...drool on the shoe. Like, eew.

Glandular fever completely drains your energy, you always want to go to sleep
Oh, I didn't mean he was supposed to keep on exercising while he was sick, I just didn't get the relation between the two (as in did he get it because he was exercising? Or why didn't he start exercising again when he was well again?) But I was only wondering, not saying anything - I hate sports, so I'm the last one to say "yay, exercise is so much fun, go and do it already!" :p


ETA: Oh , but I would totally rock at Snooze Fu! :cool: (well, without the snoring and drooling parts, one would hope).
Hell, I'm even still in my PJs at 4:30 pm - if that's not dedication then I don't know what is. :p

Each to their own I suppose, but I certainly find that I feel better after exercise.

Regular exercise has been shown to enhance mood. A single workout can lift your spirits, and sticking to an exercise routine over time can lead to long-term improvements in overall well-being, quality of life, and your sense of control over life events. Strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.


Correction: The study referenced suggests that regular exercise had positive benefits for a group of 174 people with an average age of 66.7 years. I was neither a member of that group, nor am I 66.7 years old. Therefore, it is entirely possible that the results of this study do not apply to me, or others similar to me. Statistical studies are certainly very valuable tools for finding truth. The conclusion that X is proven for all people everywhere because it tends to be true for a group of 174 senior citizens, however, is not a good one.

Also, a single study hardly proves anything. Show me the results of peer review: more studies confirming and contradicting the conclusions drawn. Finding contradicting studies and criticism is especially important where we might be tempted to hunt down studies that seem to support conclusions that we have already drawn beforehand.

Finally, finding the reference to the study in question on a website with something to sell makes me that much more suspicious and skeptical (and my demands for extensive peer review that much stronger).