Why do so many people think exercise is the problem?

[Lookingforwardtomyeastereggs]

I'm so sick of people on here calling for complete lockdown. So hear me out.

My dh is still going out to work (non essential) and mixing with others, his employer have been slow to put measures in place. Yet they're still being allowed to operate.

The road round here are so busy again, all these cars can't be going on essential journeys. Neighbours are breaking the rules by going on car journeys with non household members. These are just a few examples.

Now I've completely stuck to the rules, haven't so much as been to a shop in weeks, I'm wfh with two dc, and the only time I leave the house is to walk, every other day, around where I live. I rarely see anyone, the streets are quiet.

Now how am I causing the problem here?

Exercise isn’t the problem, it’s people using the excuse of “I’m doing my exercise” and then going to meet friends in the park, sun bathing, playing football with friends, staying out all day in local parks

I agree - and would add further that exercise is not the problem because it does not have to be done outside at all

Yes it’s nicer to get outside. But it’s not essential. Which is why going outside for it could be restricted further or banned. But that would not be a synonym for banning exercise, as so many people in full isolation can attest

As in I was agreeing that tinytempers post was ridiculous.

I'm probably not making much sense, waiting for dh to get home so that eldest and I can go on our walk. Youngest decided he didn't want to go as it's too boring. I've spent most of my day playing hide and seek and doing Avengers jigsaw puzzles with a 4 year old, my brain is going to mush.

I’m taking lockdown very seriously with vulnerable members of the household.

Against the grain here but why is sunbathing so much of a problem? One person from a household goes for a walk, lays down their towel away from others for an hour peace and quiet?

Obviously they can’t advertise a picnic is good as everyone in central London would be heading down to the park sitting like sardines. But in the village I live in with plenty of green space I can’t understand why it’s an issue. People who live in new builds can sit in their garden with only 10 meters apart from their neighbours so why is sitting 50m from the path an issue? Surely we should be educating how corona spreads. It can live on surfaces therefore if you need to touch a gate use your foot instead etc etc.

The one hour limit came from something Michael Gove said last week when asked for clarification. I know this because i got into a 'discussion' about this with a friend the other day when she assumed I'd been out for mire than 1 hour and she quoted the 'rules' at me. I had actually been out for 1hr 5mins - not that that is relevant - but Gove actually said about an hour should be enough for most people. I usually do quite a lot of gym based exercise and long walks - so I'm not "most" people. My friend does none!

iVampire getting outside even if just sitting outside is essential for the immune system, eye sight and bone health, the nervous system and insulin regulation, as well as being more effective than indoor exercise at lowering blood pressure, slowing dementia onset and combatting depression.

I honestly wouldn't worry I don't know a single person in real life who thinks going for a walk is a problem.
The only people I know who don't leave the house are the vulnerable and the once's that's don't bother about exercise. I exercise regularly before lockdown so I'm trying to carry on although I admit it's not the same as I need to be careful choose times and places when I know it's quiet.
I won't bore you with the rules again but exercise is allowed , if you agree or disagree I'm not doing anything wrong .

Gyms, sports clubs, golf courses, exercise classes, stadiums, leisure centres have all been closed...so what do the people who attend them regularly do instead? Go for a run, a walk, a cycle.

I’m a runner and live beside a sprawling country estate. I’ve been getting my 5k done in solitude at dawn...but I’m always out early as standard. Situation normal for me. I’m just fortunate not to have to share space at the best or worst of times.

I agree that some of the people who are angry about others going outdoors (even if they’re sticking to the guidelines), are those who never stir themselves to take any exercise and who don’t see the need or value in it.

It's the few, spoiling it for the many, as usual.

But I think before the lockdown prohibits 'exercise' they need to make crystal clear the existing 'rules' and enforce them.

I would support the loss of the 'exercise' if they feel it's necessary, but I'd be gutted and frankly kissed off with the idiots that have pushed it into happening.

I don't have a garden, so I've been going for a very early morning walk through the various commons I have on my doorstep. 7 miles this morning & saw 2 people at a distance. I know later in the day it's a popular place to go. It's ideal for young kids to ride bikes etc. so people tend to gather there a bit.

The 'time limit' of an hour was just a comment/suggestion of what was 'reasonable' in the daily briefings, it's not in the legislation or the guidelines.

Agree op.
It's the easiest thing to blame..

‘getting outside even if just sitting outside is highly desirable for the immune system, eye sight and bone health, the nervous system and insulin regulation, as well as being more effective than indoor exercise at lowering blood pressure, slowing dementia onset and combatting depression’

It’s not actually essential, especially when the suspension is only for a few weeks (for most people, who of course can still go outdoors for essential shopping and for work or medical reasons) or even the three months minimum (for people like me, who should not leave our homes other than for essential F2F medical appointments)

@iVampire where you one of those people who said bread and milk wasn't essential because human beings can go for three weeks without food without starving to death?

Can I also add to this discussion: all of the people bitching and moaning about 'new joggers'. I was not previously a runner, but I did used to do a really high intensity spin class four times a week. I obviously now can't do that, but maintaining my fitness levels is important for me (and my immune system, eye sight and bone health, the nervous system and insulin regulation as per DCMO's advice)

I'm pissing myself at some one called iVampire arguing against sunlight
Well, she would say that, wouldn't she?!

Exercise is definitely not the problem. It's good for the respiratory system and seeing this is a respiratory disease will definitely be a good help and also good for the immune system. My problem isn't with people going for a run or walk, it's with people from the same household that continue to walk side by side along a footpath instead of single file, people who sit around chatting once their exercise is finished and people who play football, therefore pushing others into close proximity with each other. When I was out with my kids for our morning walk today I got really angry when they started playing on the footpath because they were taking up the whole path. But then I see other people messing around and I realise I might actually be fighting a losing battle.

We took the DC out for a long walk on Sunday. We did sit down and have a packet of crisps and a drink of water (does that count as a picnic?). It was a lovely day and we were in the countryside (walking distance from our house) and there were fewer people about than when we last did the same walk on 1 Jan, everyone stayed well away from each other. We have a big house and garden and are still being driven mad by each other, feel sorry for those who are stuck in a small flat in a city.

But can I just say something. The main way the virus is spread is in droplets of spit from when people cough. That is why we maintain social distancing so we aren't close to each other when we cough.

It’s fascinating how clearly these threads highlight those who don’t think the rules apply to them

Exercise isn’t the problem in itself

What is the problem is those who use ‘exercise’ as an excuse to just carry on as before

The more others see people acting ‘normally’ the more they think they can do whatever is ‘normal’ to them

Before you know it the streets are back to ‘normal’ levels of people being around

Nicola Sturgeon said quite early on that if things feel ‘normal’ you need to question what you’re doing (or words to that effect)

^I'm pissing myself at some one called iVampire arguing against sunlight
Well, she would say that, wouldn't she?!^

My thoughts exactly

Yeah - it’s annoying me too - I went for a cycle this morning and the high street outside my house was buzzing, queues to get into shops, people sitting on benches outside with coffees etc it was rammed out there like nothing was wrong

But I’m the one who is wrong for going off to the forest for a cycle?? Hahah

The parks and places like that are busy round my area at the moment but to be expected - it’s London and there are a lot of people here and we are all not at work anymore so of course more people will be our and about!

But the high street people today were definitely the ones who were in the wrong not me on my bike

But I’m the one who is wrong for going off to the forest for a cycle?? Hahah

No one is saying you are the only one doing wrong

But the fact is you are no less wrong than them if you take the piss with the amount of time you’re out cycling

It’s no different to stopping to relax on a bench because ‘you’re out anyway’

And goes back to the point I keep trying to make is that the more people seeing others behaving normally, the more they’re encouraged to do the same

If you're alone in a forest or field, unobserved and not touching surfaces others may later touch then how long you're out is unlikely to matter in any way, shape or form.

Maybe best to not mention it on any form of social media in case it sparks envy or whatever it is in others.

But it doesn’t matter if I go for a 10 minute cycle or an hour - I’m moving the whole time - not touching anything but my own bikes handlebars and not coming in contact with anyone unless they walk passed me or something

• I'm pissing myself at some one called iVampire arguing against sunlight Well, she would say that, wouldn't she?!*

Garlic is supposed by many to have antimicrobial properties , and silver is antibacterial although not afaik antiviral. Hmmmm

But it doesn’t matter if I go for a 10 minute cycle or an hour - I’m moving the whole time - not touching anything but my own bikes handlebars and not coming in contact with anyone unless they walk passed me or something

No one is moaning about people cycling for an hour

They’re pointing out that if you cycle for several hours you are taking the piss on the guidance and increasing your chances of having an accident and therefore needing the assistance of others

Haffiana summed it up nicely on page 1

It’s people not exercising that’s the problem not the other way round. Outdoor exercise is essential for good mental health. Those who have not left the house for 2 weeks or more are going mad. Hence the policing.

Also when we get CV which will happen at some point we’ll have a better chance of fighting it off if we’re fit and healthy.

I set up a new account as iVampire when I was diagnosed with blood cancer

I am exercising indoors because I am part of the ‘shield’ group. Not because I have anything against daylight. I just know (the hard way) that it’s not essential, and so asking people to forego it for a while would not be unreasonable or hazardous

@iVampire I see your point but exercise is allowed. For everyone to listen to you is against government advice .
You stay in and I can see you must be frustrated that you can't go out but for you to expect everyone else to forgo exercise for possibly months is unreasonable.