Just don’t do it: 10 exercise myths: An awful lot... - Thyroid UK

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Just don’t do it: 10 exercise myths

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator
9 Replies

An awful lot of members feel that they must fall in with numerous edicts regarding exercise.

I thought this an interesting take on some of the issues. I'm not in a position to endorse or refute!

(Well aware that this is very much hoping you will cave in and buy his book. But that is not why I am posting.)

Just don’t do it: 10 exercise myths

We all believe we should exercise more. So why is it so hard to keep it up? Daniel E Lieberman, Harvard professor of evolutionary biology, explodes the most common and unhelpful workout myths

by Daniel E Lieberman

theguardian.com/lifeandstyl...

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helvella profile image
helvella
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9 Replies
DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

...or take a hot bath!

theguardian.com/lifeandstyl...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toDippyDame

Excellent idea. :-)

Goldengirl01 profile image
Goldengirl01 in reply toDippyDame

And a bag of marshmallows 😁

NIKEGIRL profile image
NIKEGIRL

Oooohhh MARSHMALLOWS yummy 🤤

Singwell profile image
Singwell

We have the wrong idea about exercise and fitness because these are now 'industries' and we the consumers. I order to focus on well being. That happens to involve getting outside, walking and enjoying the view, doing yoga, eating chocolate, watching Netflix, lying outside in my garden listening to the river and birds. You get the picture.

NIKEGIRL profile image
NIKEGIRL

I LOVE EXERCISE. Right now I’m exercise intolerant boo 😒 It’s not forever. I love to bike 35 miles and go to the gym and lift weights. Exercise makes u feel alive. I know I will piss a few people off with this post but there are people out there who need exercise for their mental health and that’s me. If u don’t like exercise and two of my family members don’t like exercise then do something u love. Gardening, walking, badminton, tennis. Something else that is social and gets u out there. There are no rules. Just do what u can but more importantly than anything is LOVE WHAT U DO!!

hjh88 profile image
hjh88

I found this a conflicting read. Good to see some talk around avoidance of exercise not being lazy and “just do it” not working in a sustainable way. I think anyone who’s suffered a thyroid problem or any chronic/long term illness can debunk those ideas straight off the bat!

The way we (usually in westernised society at least) approach exercise/health/weight loss/etc. is so punishing and unaccepting though and there are smatterings of that throughout the article. I’m not sure replacing one generalisation with another is the way to go.

If having a thyroid condition has taught me anything it’s to listen to my body and be gentle with it when it asks, even if that means disregarding general advice about what I should be doing with it. Really looking forward to a time when articles like this aren’t quite so prescriptive.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply tohjh88

Agree!

An old medic friend of mine used to say, " Listen to your body"!

I always thought that was wise advice.

Karenk13 profile image
Karenk13

I think this article brushes by how important it is to be an active person in general and not just an hour in the gym 3 times a week. Sedentary people suffer negative health outcomes much more as they age. You dont have to go to the gym to exercise it can be a dance class a hike with friends , a long walk with the dog. Sitting around for 10+ hours a day and then thinking 3 hours of intense exercise in a week can counteract that is the real problem in modern society.

Yes do take the stairs instead of the lift. Park further away from the supermarket door, go for a 20 min walk on your lunch break. Simple sustainable and pays off in the long run . You can "train" all you like but if the rest of your lifestyle is focused on being as sedentary as possible then you will unfortunately find yourself spinning your wheels and hating exercise.

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