What do we mean when we talk about "fitness"? The word implies a connection to a higher purpose: "Fitness for what?"
Biologically, "fitness" refers to the propensity of an organism to pass on it's genes. Biological fitness is clearly context dependent: i.e. an anaconda isn't so fit if it gets moved to the arctic. I think we can build on that, while making it more human.
I think of fitness as our capacity to thrive in our environment. That's going to be different for each of us, depending on our environment and our preferences. However, there are some useful implications of thinking of fitness this way:
- Chores, errands, work, play, and family activities might be the best kind of exercise, since they are physical activities that are directly tied to your lifestyle.
- Supplemental exercise should be geared towards your lifestyle and improving your ability to accomplish things you need to be able to do.
- There's no such thing as a universal "best exercise" or "best diet", because we all have different fitness objectives.
- "Fitness" is not static: We do different things and have different priorities at different points in our lives, so our fitness goals should change over time. Many of us will even have seasonal fitness changes, since we don't do the same things in winter as we do in summer.
How do you all think about "fitness"?
Is it a highfalutin ivory tower concept or is it just ABs?
If I can look at myself in the mirror naked and not cringe, I'm fit.
You made me wonder if gay people can get turned on by looking at themselves
Probably not. I imagine it's like trying to tickle yourself.
Are you sure that doesn't work? What about a "stranger" type scenario?
Unless you can sit on your own head to out it to sleep, that scenario probably doesn't apply. 🤣
Sounds like you need some yoga lessons with @denlillaapan.
@denlillaapan probably gets turned on by himself even though he's straight.
With or without sitting on his own head first?
Aesthetics are certainly part of thriving, but I would have thought still being able to look at yourself in the mirror a hundred years from now is your definition of being fit.
Well, a more actionable goal I have for myself, is that when I'm 70, I want to be as strong as an untrained 30 year old man.
Lucky for you, then, that men are getting weaker over time.
I couldn't do a single push up when I was 38 and first started. I definitely set myself a very low bar.
You're competing against your own weak ass? Even better.
Dude, I was so fucking weak it was embarrassing. I had never lifted weights or had done any sports in my whole life besides running track in middle school, and skateboarding in high-school.
Might be the most relevant test, actually
Tbh i think anatomy is one of the greatest inventions we truly don't understand it's all horse shit some stuff good for others no one cure all new discoveries all the time primitive or advanced ScIeNcE it's all preference and how u live life. Kinda why I got away from it how many times can u reinvent the wheel
lol, nicely put
In regard to 1, you remind me of the documentary Blue Zones on Netflix. The Okinawans live a ripe old age because of their lifestyle. They have little furniture in their homes and are active maintaining their gardens. This means that their non-sedentary lifestyles help keep their lower backs strong. When they fall, their bones are thus less susceptible to be damaged
I thought the blue zones thesis was found to be lacking since it has high correlation with either poor historical records or is in areas with high pension fraud levels?
Fun, if true
some of the info based on the quick search https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/blue-zones-netflix-ignobel-prize-b2642717.html
😂
I need to look into this! Thanks for bringing this to my attention
Very good reference, the Japanese people have one of the longest life expectancies
What surprises me is how they manage to live so long, despite the copious amounts of drinking and smoking. Haha. Must be their diet
I recall reading that they have high rates of cancer starts, from the smoking, but their diets more than offset that in reducing growth rates.
Perfect example
Blue Zones was great! Pathetic when Loma Linda in CA was the only USA example and they just live to late 80’s. Sad!
Pickle ball is fitness? 🤣
I think about Fitness like being able to perform my common tasks and chores with ease but also to be able to show up and be proud of my efforts if I am ever called on to carry something heavy, Sprint fast, or run along distance.
I believe I represented myself pretty well at the Bitcoin Fitness games recently but that would not have been possible without my commitment to Fitness because most people do not make it a priority if they are not a paid athlete.
I just kept up doing the stuff most of us did as kids but I just never stopped and learn more about the science behind it all in regards to exercise science and nutrition.
My approach is a minimalist approach that's practical for busy Bitcoiners and professionals.
Follow me on Instagram to see what I do on a daily basis.
I like the inclusion of being able to rise to challenges. That is definitely an important aspect of fitness.
Right. We never know when we're going to be called upon but I don't want to have to live with the regret but knowing that I'll let those who depend on me down because I had to stop and walk or I couldn't carry them.
Well we know what fitness is not
But typically it’s that window where u might be overweight but can still run/jump/wrestle or be old but still sharp
I didn't say it explicitly, but I was partially pushing back on the idea that being fit means looking like a body builder or model. For most of us, that's pretty useless (unless you just enjoy the pursuit).
Right exactly fitness is u can do stuff regardless if u have the body.
So you can eat unhealthy but be fit.
You can be healthy but totally weak and unfit
I think you can be temporarily fit while eating unhealthy, but eventually it will render you unfit. That still might be the optimal fitness choice for people, depending on their time preference (which I thought about, but didn't include in the post).
A lot u thought about but didn’t include!
I think of fitness as being harder to kill
I like that
I think it's more about how we feel and function in our daily lives.
That's essentially what "thriving" means, no?
Of course, always seek to be better for the future
I like the term ‘robust’. The ability to take a beating or survive on crap food for a week. Or adapt to stressful situations. That’s what fitness currently means to me.
I like that description.
I had some thoughts along those lines, but I wasn't able to articulate them succinctly. Part of thriving, though, is being able to make it through extreme low-probability events, which requires adaptability.
I look at fitness as the ability to do things around me with somewhat ease. It is easy to lose your fitness once you get it, but very hard to get it back. I think it is important to keep it heightened. I do regular walks everyday, several runs a week and class pass where I can.
I do intermittent fasting and about 15-20mins of exercise (push ups, sit ups and squats) most days. I wouldn't call tgis "fit" but this feels like enough for me at my age (~45). I am considering taking it up a notch or two as I could do with some more energy.
When I think of someone being "fit" they usually work out a lot more and have somewhat good looking bodies.
I think for most of us "fitness" is a sort of aesthetic association.
Postmodern fitness intellectualizing.
Do you even lift, bro?
Seems more like premodern fitness, to me.
Look at body builders part their prime- most turn to ugly flab.
The best form of exercise is growing or hunting for your own food.
According to Instagram fitness is about taking a bunch of PEDs and cooking your insides
This is true follow fitness guides online isn't recommanded because each one has its particularity.
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That sounds similar to what I was going for.
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