To not exercise

Um yes - I know that 🫣

I was suggesting it because PP says she finds exercise boring….

I’m not assuming people do cardio to burn calories - although it is a factor that it makes ME very hungry

I was literally just trying to discuss the science behind movement vs exercise. I used calories as a descriptive metric. It was not intended to educate people who already understand their body and what their body needs. Calories are a unit of energy, and most people understand them. Most people don’t know what vo2 is so that kind of chat is confusing. The thread has descended into exactly what a lot of people who don’t like or value exercise find offputting - a load of know it alls bickering over types of exercise!

My post was meant for people who do not see the value in exercise or believe they are already doing enough in their usual every day activity

I will give up now as no matter what I say someone will pick a hole in it and relate it back to them and take offence. 😂

Absolutely you can! As long as your body is exercising effectively, it doesn't matter what your eyes are doing LOL

Can you exercise in front of a favourite TV show or listen to a podcast or book?

This is why podcasts and audio books were invented! I hate going to the gym but I now go 3 or 4 times a week by listening to a podcast.

Yes I understand. I actually would like to exercise to improve my health and to feel fitter and stronger especially as I get older...but the boredom of it is really the problem for me

Well done on your weight loss, you must feel a lot healthier.
This thread isn’t really about exercise for weight loss though, but about exercise for all round health (heart, strength, bone health, mobility).

Ive lost three stone recently in six months and haven't done any exercise at all. It's all been via diet.

I once did several months of really intense exercise....think two exercise classes a day... weights and hiit. I became much fitter and stronger for sure but didn't change my diet at all and didn't lose any weight or look any slimmer at the end of it.

I wish I enjoyed exercise but I absolutely loathe it. I hated pe at school... I'd have preferred to sit indoors and do a maths lesson. I don't know what to think about when I'm exercising...hard to explain but my mind feels so bored during it. I have done some really good exercise classes though where I've got the endorphin rush...but I think it takes a very skilled instructor to build the atmosphere and engage the class. So many are rubbish.

Oooof, you're very fit! I don't check mine very often. It's 44 today and I'm 55 years old.
I have noticed my RHR has been elevated for the last few weeks - a combination of a lingering cold virus and being under a lot of stress.
Like you, I tend to look at the trends rather than the actual number.
In the olden days I used to glance at the kitchen clock, head out for a run and then check the time I got back. When I was old enough to drive I drove some of my routes to check the distance. How things change!

My garmin tells me my VO2 max. Do you know how accurate it is?

About as accurate as a watch can be, in my experience, but obviously not as accurate as if you measure properly in lab conditions with a mask.

I find it's good for measuring trends rather than anything else. Eg my vo2 max goes up when I'm marathon training and drops if I'm not well, if I'm having down time between races etc. It varies between 50 and 54 generally.

I hate it, but I have to do it or everything starts to hurt and I get out of breath going up more than one flight of stairs.

It’s a very disappointing state of affairs tbh.

My garmin tells me my VO2 max. Do you know how accurate it is? I suspect it’s about as accurate as the calorie burn ie not!
I’m curious more than anything.

I am glad to hear that everything in moderation is OK as I have always felt suspicious of the notion of completely cutting things out. Now I just need to eat in moderation 😂

I wouldn't expect or want any of my 'movement' of dog walking and school runs etc to burn any calories.

Pretty much.

I mean, I'm a dog walker - I do 20k+ steps a day, easily, but it's not like I do it because it helps me stay in shape - I do it because I love dogs, the fitness aspect is just a nice addition, lol.

I do a lot of running and don't really think about calories/my weight. I've never struggled with my weight so I've never really associated the two. For me the metric I care about is vo2 max. Having a vo2 max in the top one third means that you have a 45% reduced risk of death from any cause when compared with people in the lower third.

Having said that the reason I run a lot is because it's the only time my brain goes quiet and all that I think about is my breathing and movement.

I actually gained weight when I started weight training….. but it was all muscle, and I actually look leaner now and my clothes feel way less tight. I have muscle definition, without looking bulky.

I am also infinitely stronger - which, when you get to my advanced age, is really, really important.

My mum never exercised and she became very, very weak. In her 80s she fell and broke her hip. The hip was fixed, but she never walked again - she simply didn’t have the strength. The last 18 months of her life were truly miserable.

Invest in your muscles and bones, people. One day you will be glad you did.

I think MOST (able bodied, well) people could fit in a small amount of exercise every other day if they really wanted to.

Nobody has to exercise but there’s a vast difference on my health stats and therefore illness/ mortality risk when I’m exercising regularly to when I’m not. if you want to remain healthy into your old age then you should really try.

Right, or it’s just an intrinsic part of their sport.

@mostimportantaspect yes, most calorie estimates from trackers using heart rate are basically educated guesses at best. On bikes we have the benefit of power meters which measure power, work done, and therefore food calories expended to within 1 or 2%. Really useful for figuring out fuelling and ensuring you get enough calories in both during and after the ride. It’s surprising how much you have to eat to avoid a deficit!

I couldn't agree more with all of the above ! I really enjoy my exercise though. I was absolutely amazed by what you can achieve by just being consistent with a custom home work out plan + responsible dieting. It has really changed my view on health and nutrition and not to mention how much better my mental health is nowadays too

Most people don’t do formal exercise (go to the gym, classes, running or weight lifting etc). So of course you are not in the minority. That’s not to say you don’t meet the ‘recommended amount of activity’. Walking qualifies if done at pace.
However you can fit in formal exercise if you want to. plenty of people have full time jobs and kids manage to. If you have a partner then go when they can mind the kids, or take the kids on a brisk walk with you, go to the gym on your lunch break, and so on.

I don't exercise. I couldn't really justify the price of a gym membership when I wasn't working. Now I am working and could afford it but I don't want to spend my precious free time in a gym. I like an occasional walk but I prefer walking in nice scenery and I live in suburban London. The only exercise I really love is swimming and I find the getting ready and changed is a massive faff.

LOL! What kind of person would I be to keep this to myself ... What I learnt is that you can't out train a bad diet. My nutritionist was absolutely wonderful and he analysed what I was eating and told me what to cut down in order to reach my magic number. He was brilliant because rather than tell me to cut certain things completely out, he helped me to learn that everything is fine in moderation. I can pass you his details if you want? He really is a great find

What is the magic formula? Asking for a friend 😉