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What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?

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Replies

  • jamesakrobinson
    jamesakrobinson Posts: 2,149 Member
    edited November 2017
    Ok... Just pick your adjectives a little more objectively. I'll try not to be such a delicate flower. LOL
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    Aaron_K123 wrote: »
    Haha If you liked debating that, how's this for stirring the pot.

    There are only two valid reasons for a human to run. (from an evolutionary standpoint at least but probably could be extrapolated to today)

    1) to catch food
    2) not to BE food

    And go! (this is bound to be REALLY unpopular!)

    Well to be unpopular a statement has to be both dumb and controversial. Your first one qualified...this one is more just dumb.

    I take this as an uncalled for personal attack and also dispute it thoroughly. I submit to you that contrary to your statement, dumb opinions tend to be the MOST popular. I give you politics, get rich quick schemes, and 6 days to a six pack programs/devices/diets as easily verified examples.

    Why is it that so many people take offense when it's pointed out that they hold to dumb ideas?

    It's the idea that's dumb. Not a personal attack.

    A personal attack might be something related to how using a mirror selfie as your profile pic makes you look.

    I refrained from actually making the personal attack, because I really don't want a warning today.
  • jamesakrobinson
    jamesakrobinson Posts: 2,149 Member
    edited November 2017
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    I just went for a run, and with this discussion in mind, was more aware than normal of what I was thinking and feeling. There were some elements of enjoyment involved, but that was mixed with a swirl of other things (stress, fatigue, anger, annoyance, exasperation, exhilaration, ambivalence, etc). If I had to describe it with one all-encompassing word, it would be "satisfaction". I was satisfied with what I was doing throughout, regardless if I was hitting PRs or not (not), or that it was 40 degrees outside, or that the pavement was wet and my feet were getting soaked, etc. I was satisfied that I was outside, elevating my HR, and adding to my mileage total for the month.

    Satisfaction is the motivation, not enjoyment. That also describes strength training- it is minimally enjoyable but very satisfying, and that is what motivates me to consistently do it.

    Well said (except... Running lol)
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,009 Member
    edited November 2017
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    I just went for a run, and with this discussion in mind, was more aware than normal of what I was thinking and feeling. There were some elements of enjoyment involved, but that was mixed with a swirl of other things (stress, fatigue, anger, annoyance, exasperation, exhilaration, ambivalence, etc). If I had to describe it with one all-encompassing word, it would be "satisfaction". I was satisfied with what I was doing throughout, regardless if I was hitting PRs or not (not), or that it was 40 degrees outside, or that the pavement was wet and my feet were getting soaked, etc. I was satisfied that I was outside, elevating my HR, and adding to my mileage total for the month.

    Satisfaction is the motivation, not enjoyment. That also describes strength training- it is minimally enjoyable but very satisfying, and that is what motivates me to consistently do it.

    I can get with this. Well said!
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    I just went for a run, and with this discussion in mind, was more aware than normal of what I was thinking and feeling. There were some elements of enjoyment involved, but that was mixed with a swirl of other things (stress, fatigue, anger, annoyance, exasperation, exhilaration, ambivalence, etc). If I had to describe it with one all-encompassing word, it would be "satisfaction". I was satisfied with what I was doing throughout, regardless if I was hitting PRs or not (not), or that it was 40 degrees outside, or that the pavement was wet and my feet were getting soaked, etc. I was satisfied that I was outside, elevating my HR, and adding to my mileage total for the month.

    Satisfaction is the motivation, not enjoyment. That also describes strength training- it is minimally enjoyable but very satisfying, and that is what motivates me to consistently do it.

    This perfectly describes my experience running as well.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    I'm a weirdo that enjoys working out. I enjoy finding my physical limits. I enjoy those days where you just feel like you could do anything. Of course there's the odd crap day but most of the time, making myself feel like i might die is my happy place.

    As to juggling being an olympic sport, that's also in rhythmic gymnastics. They have the hoop, clubs, ball and ribbon. I wasnt a rhythmic gymnast though so no epic juggling skills here, I was pretty handy with a hula hoop back in the day though.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    If an activity can be 'exercise' but you do it for fun (as in you'd do it even if it didn't provide the benefits of exercise) is it still exercise?
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    I just went for a run, and with this discussion in mind, was more aware than normal of what I was thinking and feeling. There were some elements of enjoyment involved, but that was mixed with a swirl of other things (stress, fatigue, anger, annoyance, exasperation, exhilaration, ambivalence, etc). If I had to describe it with one all-encompassing word, it would be "satisfaction". I was satisfied with what I was doing throughout, regardless if I was hitting PRs or not (not), or that it was 40 degrees outside, or that the pavement was wet and my feet were getting soaked, etc. I was satisfied that I was outside, elevating my HR, and adding to my mileage total for the month.

    Satisfaction is the motivation, not enjoyment. That also describes strength training- it is minimally enjoyable but very satisfying, and that is what motivates me to consistently do it.

    This perfectly describes my experience running as well.

    It sometimes describes mine. At other times, it is genuinely enjoyable throughout. I was out visiting my mother who is sick on Saturday and in the morning I took a quick break and went running on a trail (in a beautiful area I am not always in) and ran just for run and relaxation -- passed lots of people and dogs on the trail, said hi, listened to an interesting podcast plus some music, and did my planned 6+ miles. It was hilly, which I am not used to. I ignored speed and just ran for fun/de-stressing, as well as because it was on my schedule, but ended up doing about the speed I'd intended to. That it was fun (and necessary for my mental health) doesn't make it less a "workout" than if I'd ground it out on the treadmill (which I'm not a fan of).

    Similarly, I schedule runs at this time of year, when home, to end around the time the sun comes up, because that feels amazing to me. Sometimes the run is fun, sometimes it's not really (although I still feel good when it's done), doesn't mean it's not a workout (I know you aren't saying otherwise).

    I lift on my own, don't love it, don't hate it, satisfaction is a good word for it. But when I was learning I took an olympic lifting class that a couple of friends were in and although I was often VERY frustrated with the lifting the class was a blast and the learning was exciting and I looked forward to it. It was, genuinely, enjoyable.

    Then again, I also think it's possible and not uncommon to actually enjoy working.

    Yes, I always feel satisfaction but I do often feel pure enjoyment as well -- usually related to the joy of being outdoors or when it feels like my whole body is getting into the run. So the enjoyment is often there, but when it isn't, I can still rely on the satisfaction. Even when I get a side stitch or it rains on me and my socks get wet or the humidity is too high, I can still count on satisfaction in the face of a run that wasn't enjoyable while it was happening.

    If I didn't feel the enjoyment at least a portion of the time, I would probably choose another activity. I think life is too short to do exercise you don't enjoy (unless you truly have tried everything, hate it all, and then you just gotta treat your exercise like a dose of nasty medicine).

    I think that if I could take a pill to achieve/maintain fitness, I would probably be through with the gym, but would still run. There are moments when running transcends merely being exercise and becomes more like therapy/church, which I can’t say about lifting.

    Yes, I think of it more like meditation, but this really resonates with me. It "cleans" my mind up, makes me calmer.

    If I could take a pill instead of resistance training, I would do that for sure. But I can't imagine giving up running.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    I just went for a run, and with this discussion in mind, was more aware than normal of what I was thinking and feeling. There were some elements of enjoyment involved, but that was mixed with a swirl of other things (stress, fatigue, anger, annoyance, exasperation, exhilaration, ambivalence, etc). If I had to describe it with one all-encompassing word, it would be "satisfaction". I was satisfied with what I was doing throughout, regardless if I was hitting PRs or not (not), or that it was 40 degrees outside, or that the pavement was wet and my feet were getting soaked, etc. I was satisfied that I was outside, elevating my HR, and adding to my mileage total for the month.

    Satisfaction is the motivation, not enjoyment. That also describes strength training- it is minimally enjoyable but very satisfying, and that is what motivates me to consistently do it.

    This perfectly describes my experience running as well.

    It sometimes describes mine. At other times, it is genuinely enjoyable throughout. I was out visiting my mother who is sick on Saturday and in the morning I took a quick break and went running on a trail (in a beautiful area I am not always in) and ran just for run and relaxation -- passed lots of people and dogs on the trail, said hi, listened to an interesting podcast plus some music, and did my planned 6+ miles. It was hilly, which I am not used to. I ignored speed and just ran for fun/de-stressing, as well as because it was on my schedule, but ended up doing about the speed I'd intended to. That it was fun (and necessary for my mental health) doesn't make it less a "workout" than if I'd ground it out on the treadmill (which I'm not a fan of).

    Similarly, I schedule runs at this time of year, when home, to end around the time the sun comes up, because that feels amazing to me. Sometimes the run is fun, sometimes it's not really (although I still feel good when it's done), doesn't mean it's not a workout (I know you aren't saying otherwise).

    I lift on my own, don't love it, don't hate it, satisfaction is a good word for it. But when I was learning I took an olympic lifting class that a couple of friends were in and although I was often VERY frustrated with the lifting the class was a blast and the learning was exciting and I looked forward to it. It was, genuinely, enjoyable.

    Then again, I also think it's possible and not uncommon to actually enjoy working.

    Yes, I always feel satisfaction but I do often feel pure enjoyment as well -- usually related to the joy of being outdoors or when it feels like my whole body is getting into the run. So the enjoyment is often there, but when it isn't, I can still rely on the satisfaction. Even when I get a side stitch or it rains on me and my socks get wet or the humidity is too high, I can still count on satisfaction in the face of a run that wasn't enjoyable while it was happening.

    If I didn't feel the enjoyment at least a portion of the time, I would probably choose another activity. I think life is too short to do exercise you don't enjoy (unless you truly have tried everything, hate it all, and then you just gotta treat your exercise like a dose of nasty medicine).

    I think that if I could take a pill to achieve/maintain fitness, I would probably be through with the gym, but would still run. There are moments when running transcends merely being exercise and becomes more like therapy/church, which I can’t say about lifting.

    That's how I feel about hiking and gardening, which are my chief means of activity.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,009 Member
    vinerie wrote: »
    People that share their diaries while losing, but show that they eat protein/nutrient bars, frozen meals and other pre-packaged foods make me sad, because that kind of food is just so unsatisfying to me.

    But why should that make you sad?
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    vinerie wrote: »
    My unpopular opinion is that I love food. And not crappy frankenfood like chips, fast food and most stuff that comes in a box. But rather creative and perfectly-executed dishes featuring nuanced flavors and cooking techniques.

    People that share their diaries while losing, but show that they eat protein/nutrient bars, frozen meals and other pre-packaged foods make me sad, because that kind of food is just so unsatisfying to me. I want to lose while eating well (not high-calorie food, but elevated food.)

    I hate chain restaurants and never go there. (This makes calculating calories when I go out to eat really hard, though.)

    I'm a foodie. I love great food beyond measure. I also love "trashy" food too. It scratches a different sort of itch. I also rarely eat at chains and there are hardly any where I live. But I'm not averse to a McDs hash brown or a ready meal (more likely from the fridge and they happen to be pretty good quality here in the UK).

    Don't feel sad for me. I'm not. Because I'm not a food snob and I eat what I like.

    This. I make a lot of my own food, but you'll also find me enjoying premade or purchased food like tortilla chips, Tater Tots, or Taco Bell burritos.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    J72FIT wrote: »
    vinerie wrote: »
    People that share their diaries while losing, but show that they eat protein/nutrient bars, frozen meals and other pre-packaged foods make me sad, because that kind of food is just so unsatisfying to me.

    But why should that make you sad?

    agreed

    I cook a lot...but my diary has protein bars and frozen meals and prepackaged foods...

    sometimes I don't have time but want to eat macro appropriate foods...nothing wrong with that or anything sad about it...esp considering...

    it's all relative and about perspective
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited November 2017
    I love food. I also love lots of local restaurants with interesting food that are impossible to log accurately (I'm in Chicago, we have a pretty good and wide-ranging food scene, and when we were recently visiting my mom near Portland we made sure to get at least one dinner out in Portland for the same reason; I also enjoy cooking, green markets, blah, blah).

    I suppose other people thinking they cannot eat food they love but must only eat diet food or food with calories on the box even though they didn't enjoy it would make me a bit sad for them (but eh, there are a lot more significant things to feel sad about).

    Other people enjoying foods I don't particularly enjoy does not make me sad. Why would it?

    Also, I'm sure I eat some weird stuff or otherwise stuff that you might not enjoy. That does not mean I did not enjoy it, so please don't feel sad about my possibly deplorable taste, there are many actually sad things in the world.
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    vinerie wrote: »
    My unpopular opinion is that I love food. And not crappy frankenfood like chips, fast food and most stuff that comes in a box. But rather creative and perfectly-executed dishes featuring nuanced flavors and cooking techniques.

    People that share their diaries while losing, but show that they eat protein/nutrient bars, frozen meals and other pre-packaged foods make me sad, because that kind of food is just so unsatisfying to me. I want to lose while eating well (not high-calorie food, but elevated food.)

    I hate chain restaurants and never go there. (This makes calculating calories when I go out to eat really hard, though.)

    Not sure why or how you loving food would be an unpopular opinion. How would anyone but you even know whether you loved food or not?

    I love food too. But I'm no food snob. I don't think food is automatically less tasty because it's mass produced or popular. Maybe that's my unpopular opinion, though I doubt it actually is unpopular.

    Ah, those are the words I was searching for! In my opinion that's a good description of people who judge other people's food choices.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Bry_Lander wrote: »
    vinerie wrote: »
    My unpopular opinion is that I love food. And not crappy frankenfood like chips, fast food and most stuff that comes in a box. But rather creative and perfectly-executed dishes featuring nuanced flavors and cooking techniques.

    People that share their diaries while losing, but show that they eat protein/nutrient bars, frozen meals and other pre-packaged foods make me sad, because that kind of food is just so unsatisfying to me. I want to lose while eating well (not high-calorie food, but elevated food.)

    I hate chain restaurants and never go there. (This makes calculating calories when I go out to eat really hard, though.)

    If you have the time and resources to regularly make or be served "creative and perfectly-executed dishes featuring nuanced flavors and cooking techniques" you have made lifestyle choices drastically different than mine. My priorities are family, fitness, and career, and these generally burn about 98% of my waking hours. Therefore, I am constantly eating protein bars, frozen meals, prepackaged food, and fast food or else I will be going hungry. If I'm warming up a frozen dinner it is because I just walked in from work and have to pick a kid up from sports in 20 minutes or I skipped my lunch to exercise and will be eating at my desk, not because I have all this time on my hands and I lack the motivation or imagination to eat something better.

    Don't let this make you sad - I'm not complaining, I wouldn't change any of my choices, and being a practicing foodie is extremely far down my list of priorities.

    Exactly. Someone who is regularly choosing premade/easier to prepare foods may be making a deliberate choice to prioritize other things or achieve other goals and I consider that to be a completely rational choice that may lead to fulfillment. Why would I feel sad for them?

    Some people may enjoy spending more time selecting and preparing their food, others don't. And people may switch back and forth between styles in their life as their priorities and lifestyles change.

    Regularly eating a "perfectly-executed" meal isn't some universal good that everyone is obligated to go after at the expense of other obligations and goals. It's just one of many things that can make life good and honestly, very few of us are maximizing every single opportunity for happiness that is out there for us. We're choosing to go after the ones that we think will make us happiest or lead to the best chance of future rewards.
  • ladyhusker39
    ladyhusker39 Posts: 1,406 Member
    Aaron_K123 wrote: »
    My most unpopular idea about fitness tends to be that I am right and you are wrong. Typically you don't like being wrong, especially when I am right.

    Yeah, I've been meaning to message you and tell you how much you suck when you're right, but that would be wrong of me and contrary to what you think I'm the one who's never wrong.
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