Are you coincidenta...
 

MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch

[Closed] Are you coincidentally fit? (confession content)

76 Posts
39 Users
0 Reactions
250 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Judging by some recent health and fitness threads on here, you lot are all super buff enduro-athletes. Your diets are über wholesome and geared to high performance, which means you'd never find yourself lurking under the Golden Arches with all the poor misguided fatties! 😆

I, on the other hand, confess to being just coincidentally fit. I'm (well) fit because I ride all the time - and I ride all the time because I love it, not really because of the health benefits it offers me. Yesterday, I got into trousers that I hadn't been able to get on since the days when I worked 14-hour shifts behind the Leeds United conference bar. I'm well fit!

But if I stopped riding I'd be Camo36 again in no time. All other forms of exercise, IMO, are basically pants.

So - are you naturally fit, or coincidentally fit?

If you weren't riding would you be (a) out on the moors/on the track/in the gym keeping in shape or (b) a right bloater?


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:14 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

No one is naturally fit, though some have genes and a mind more suitable to moving around a bit


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:18 pm
Posts: 41688
Free Member
 

I've just joined a gym 🙁

Anoyingly I still judge rides on the same 10mph average, I just end up dissapointed a lot more often these days!


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:19 pm
Posts: 5938
Free Member
 

a for me, I have to exercise. I run, just started playing footie again, do 150 odd miles a week on my bikes (starting club winter turbo sessions next week too).

If I didn't exercise I'd be
a. unhappy and bored
b. a right fattie, because I eat like a horse.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:20 pm
Posts: 56830
Full Member
 

This is a pretty accurate image of what I'd look like if I didn't ride so much

[img] http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT5-JTR7ga5t2d3LjTM7_TaV7CvJhj6WCuonpcezsvaamIJlRib34-U4Ja3 [/img]

At the moment, I'm more....

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:20 pm
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

I am fit* because I enjoy riding and playing footy. I eat what I want, though it's mainly healthy if not properly portioned 🙂

*relatively.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:20 pm
Posts: 15
Full Member
 

Definately a happy by product of riding, and it depends fully on how much riding im able to get in. although I reckon that since turning 30 if I wasn't fit by accident I'd be an unhappy gym bunny.

Fit is a funny word, I reckon I'm fitter then the vast majority of the people I meet day to day and I'm happy with my level of fitness as it compares to the people I ride with. The thing is though when I do a race or enduro I'm reminded that fit I us a relative term by all the Lycra boys.

Question is where are all the Lycra boys the rest of the time, do they only emerge from their turbo trainers and road bikes to smash me at races?


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:20 pm
Posts: 13419
Full Member
 

Fitness through exercise
Thinness through diet

I am sure someone can come up with the numbers about how many miles you have to ride to displace the calories in the end of ride beer. Someone told me once and it looks like my Thursday night ride followed by beer will actually make me fatter 🙁


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:21 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I think if I didn't ride, skate, climb, etc.. I'd be a right old fatty!

I ride twice a week, skateboard at least twice a week, also keep my hand in down at the climbing wall for summer high-mountain trips a few times a month, get out walking with the family as often as is possible.

I like eating and I like doing stuff so it works out pretty well for me.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:23 pm
Posts: 4739
Free Member
 

I reckon i'm fitter than ive got a right to expect, all things considered.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:32 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I didn't exercise for 7 whole days last week. 7 WHOLE DAYS!

I still can't ride though, so I'll gym, swim, whatever. Riding is very important to me, but I'd still exercise if bikes didn't exist.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:43 pm
Posts: 31206
Full Member
 

I am sure someone can come up with the numbers about how many miles you have to ride to displace the calories in the end of ride beer. Someone told me once and it looks like my Thursday night ride followed by beer will actually make me fatter

Despite what people say on here, it isn't quite as simple as "Calories In versus Calories Out"

When you regularly perform reasonably strenuous exercise your body responds by producing more mitochondria - which are basically the engines for your muscles.

More mitochondria means your metabolism gets faster (basal metabolic rate increases).

So not only do you burn off some calories by doing the exercise, but you actually make your body better at burning more calories in the future, even when you are not "exercising".


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:47 pm
Posts: 56830
Full Member
 

WCA - Depends how many beers and what the night ride route is? 😉

BURP!


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:49 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Despite what people say on here, it isn't quite as simple as "Calories In versus Calories Out"

Yes it is, for weight loss anyway

The rest of your post is pretty much bang on though. So well done, have a cookie 😉


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:51 pm
Posts: 41688
Free Member
 

Also alcohol interferes with a lot of the body's systems, so having a post ride beer will proabbaly not make you fat accoring to the "Calories in Vs Calories out" mantra. However it may interfere with everything from replenishing energy stores in the muscles, to muscle building, to digestion. So Ride+Beer can result in the destruction of muscles during excercise which would normaly grow back bigger and stronger not growing back.

I've just eaten a Ginsters pasty, my nutritional advice may not be sound.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:53 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I've been more off the bike than on in recent months. I had my first (road) ride for ages yesterday and I wasn't as unfit as I thought, so I think there is some latent fitness there that I've always had, even during periods of *ahem* laziness. Like someone said up above, I get fat and miserable without some form of activity, so I reckon something kicks in to stop me ever getting properly unfit.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:57 pm
Posts: 31206
Full Member
 

Yes it is, for weight loss anyway

Yeah but my point is that exercise actually increases the Calories Out part, even when not exercising. So while a simple sum of [i]"I ate one Mars Bar so I need to run X miles to burn off the Y calories"[/i] will help you lose weight it isn't the whole story.

WCA could do exactly the same ride as his mates, then have exactly the same beer, but because he rides more regularly his metabolism is faster so he could still be in negative calories while his mates are positive.

So well done, have a cookie

nice, double white chocolate please 😀


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 12:59 pm
 emsz
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

mum is small and skinny, and so is my dad. I'm 160cm and at my heaviest (a couple of years or so ago when I was v unhappy) I was 45kg.

I've always been doing sports; Gymnastics was my thing from 6 to quite recently, it burns through calories like you wouldn't believe, but the injuries are relentless. Now I run and cycle, running I luv 'cause I can do it, and it's like a release, cycling is a hang over from when I used to ride with my dad.

Eating wise my diet is shit if I'm honest. I'll often not bother, and wonder why the room spins when I stand up LOL, or I'll eat a massive cake in one sitting, I live off yoghurt and granola or cheese on toast. I can cook, and I do pretty much everyday, but other people eat it. I know I drink waaaay too much.

I've no idea if I'm fit, or really what that even means TBH. I've got a flat tummy and a 4 pack. Does that count?


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Even if i don't ride i'm fortunate to be able to maintain a svelt athletic appearance, in fact i look better from not riding as i don't burn of the cakage so i look less skinny so bulkier in a slim way.

I eat badly and like a beer or ten.
However, if i'm not riding i'm walking a far bit with is what i've been doing for the last month or so having not ridden in that time.

But that is appearance only, my bike fitness will be lower than usual, which most that know me will state that it'll still be at freakish levels.

Having said all that, if i attempt to run for much more of a distance than to chase the ladies, i weez and puff like the very unheathiest of 40 year olds.

Glad however to be able to look at most guys my age and think, yes, i am lucky to have the body and mind i have, even if that is a have,


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:02 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Interesting...

I rediscovered how much I like being fit about two weeks after I started riding again. I used to exercise sporadically – swimming, hiking etc – but I've never been in a gym and my dumb-bells are hidden away in a dark scary cupboard I no longer use. 😳

Isn't riding a bike the only fun, easily accessible form of exercise there is?

I've no idea if I'm fit, or really what that even means TBH. I've got a flat tummy and a 4 pack. Does that count?

WTF? Of course that counts. 😆


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:06 pm
 emsz
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

yay!!

😀


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I had a headwind today for 3.5 miles so, after doing the math, I deserve this Screme Egg *slurp*


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:12 pm
Posts: 77692
Free Member
 

I'm one of nature's slim people. I'm sorry.

I eat what I like, which is usually chips and cake. I'm vegetarian and allergic to cheese, so I'm essentially the anti-Atkins and live off carbs. I drink too much, and up until a couple of years ago exercise was intermittent at best. I do a mostly desk-based job, and spend most evenings in front of the TV / Xbox.

I've never formally "exercised," the gym bores me rigid. I used to rock-climb at least three times a week, but stopped that several years ago and did nowt up until discovering MTBing a year or two back. I've taken part in a few 10km running races, but my training for this consists of thinking "christ, the race is in a few weeks" and doing half a dozen ~5km practice runs beforehand.

I'm 5'10", around 11 stone give or take, and am showing signs of middle-aged spread in so far as I've had to move up from 28" to 30" jeans.

I'm not 'fit' exactly, but I expect I could be without too much effort.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:14 pm
 emsz
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

hmmmm,

was going to say as well. At my gymnastics club we were 'encouraged' not to eat, not directly, but we understood that to be good you had to be small and skinny. not helped by the pictures all over the walls of teeny little russians. The boys had it easier as they need muscles, so needed to eat to get them, but even they were made to feel pressured to use protein shakes and stuff rather than food. Then there was Ballet, oh my word!! whole new world of skinny!

no wonder a few girls i know from back then have eating disorders 🙄


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:17 pm
Posts: 41688
Free Member
 

I'm 160cm ...............I was 45kg.

F***** me! And that was your heaviest? I did a calculation the other day (it was wrong, but still the anecdote doesn't work if the maths was correct) and it said I could lose 45kg!


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:30 pm
Posts: 11937
Free Member
 

Just had corned beef pie and chips with gravy, followed by three Freddo bars. *burp*

A short ride to work and back each morning seems to keep my ticking over. I'm not as fast as I would be if I rode more, but I'm struggling to keep the weight on as it is.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 13291
Free Member
 

I am quite fit ,but I have always managed it through having a decent commute distance ( don't do gyms).
I have been doing it for so long that I can now switch to auto pilot if my cycling amounts change.
If I am not cycling as much ,I just don't eat as much.
I like having a good general level of fitness ,just gives me more options.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 31206
Full Member
 

I'm one of nature's slim people. I'm sorry.

I've always been "broad".

Even at uni, in the depths of stooodent poverty when I was surviving on a few tins of Kwik Save beans a week, walking everywhere (+ riding, indoor climbing, and plenty of raving) I was still heavy (around 14 stone) though in photos from that time I look decidedly gaunt and unwell.

I think if I got down to 11 stone something would snap 😕


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:33 pm
Posts: 71
Free Member
 

I'm pretty fit, eat reasonably well, but could be better! I don't drink, save for an occasional bottle of wine with the girlfriend. 5'10" and 10.5 stone, but that does go up quite rapidly if I don't ride!

Currently doing a 50 mile round trip commute 2-3 times a week, a 30 mile round trip 1-2 days, plus a decent MTB ride at the weekend. Affords me the ability to have a pizza or two!

Question is where are all the Lycra boys the rest of the time, do they only emerge from their turbo trainers and road bikes to smash me at races?

I guess that's me! I'm out there often enough! We tend to hunt in packs though, you'll get a 'clan' of racers out riding together!


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:33 pm
 wors
Posts: 3796
Full Member
 

I've no idea if I'm fit, or really what that even means TBH. I've got a flat tummy and a 4 pack. Does that count?

We need proof of that claim!

I'm pretty fit through commuting everyday. I too have a six pack, it's just hidden and keeping warm for the winter under a layer of fat!


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 1:34 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

exercise is something that happens by accident*.

i tried 'training' once, it was rubbish. why do people do it?

i'm a skinny streak of p!55, and i live on a diet of curry, pies, cake, and other assorted rubbish*.

(*there'll be a headwind on the way home today, i need all the fuel i can get)


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:03 pm
 D0NK
Posts: 592
Full Member
 

Not co-incidental, being fit is about being able to ride up more hills and so enjoy more downhills. Something I'm missing at the moment 🙁

I also ride as much as possible to offset my gluttony.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:11 pm
Posts: 11395
Full Member
 

I'm always astonished at the levels of fitness on STW Peak forum rides.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:12 pm
Posts: 6621
Free Member
 

I started off fit because I rode lots. Then I realised I was fit so decided to start doing some races which encouraged me to ride a bit more. I'm reluctant to describe it as training as it's not gym work or intervals, just a more concerted effort to ride regularly and go that bit further on a regular basis. I was probably doing 200miles a week over summer on average (80% road) but some weeks could do 300.

I eat healthily most of the time and my alcohol consumption is in single figures per week unit wise. I like to drink but prefer riding without a hangover. I do occasionally eat junk food. Love sweets, pizza and plenty of other stuff.

If I didn't ride then I'd be doing something else. Used to kayak 4 or so times a week as a student, used to swim at school I peaked at 8 training sessions in a week when I was swimming for a club, school and playing polo. I could get back into swimming, I always thought running might be good, especially if I get short of time as it's generally harder. Recently started to horse ride which is suprisingly physical.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:19 pm
Posts: 9220
Free Member
 

I wouldn't say I'm fit and riding fast (especially on the road bike) isn't something that comes easily to me. I've had to work quite hard to get to the weight I'm at now and I'm still not at my ideal weight.

Sort of on topic, does it make anyone else laugh a bit when they read "I'm such and such a weight [i]fully kitted up[/i]" as if bike gear adds a substantial amount of weight?


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:20 pm
Posts: 4968
Free Member
 

I've never really enjoyed sport until I started biking and I know if I stopped I would getter fat as my eating has increased loads since I started. Infact it has increased too much and I'm currently altering my diet to lose 5-10kg which is not made easy by reading about other people eatig cake and pastie.

As someone mentioned already many people friends and collegues think I'm extremly fit and I probably am compared to many but compared to many cyclists and general fitness freaks I am unfit and overweight.

The benefits of exercise and a sport I enjoy have been amazing for me so if for any reason I couldn't ride anymore I'd have to find another way of keeping fit (it won't be as much fun though).


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:28 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I ride to work 4 miles each way, that's around 30 mins a day. A lot of people think I must be fit to do that - but it's still only the govt. recommended MINIMUM exercise per week!


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:34 pm
 MSP
Posts: 15530
Free Member
 

No one is naturally fit

Actually I would say that I am naturally fit, but coincidently unfit, I let myself go for many many years before this year, but even in that state could put in a pretty fair showing in a game of football or squash etc. Earlier this year I put in quite a bit of effort in mountain biking and was able to lose 12 kilos and complete the trans Germany.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:49 pm
Posts: 10855
Full Member
 

My fitness varies but strangely my shape/weight seems to stay the same. I hate feeling unfit, but I also know that the fittest I've ever been is not even close to 'fit' on some people's scales. I do a couple of different sports including MTBing and am fit enough to enjoy them but in both I [s]compete[/s] participate with one or two others who are on such a different level of fitness and skill that my best efforts barely get them troubled. But they train and practice and get upset when they lose and all that dull stuff, I just enjoy myself.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 2:54 pm
Posts: 20332
Full Member
 

I'm always astonished at the levels of fitness on STW Peak forum rides.

You mean the lack of it? 😉

My sister and I are both naturally slim although she admitted to being quite unfit as (until recently) she hardly ever exercised but she just never really got fat.

Personally I hate to go for more than a couple of days without exercise so I guess it sort of works out that I'm reasonably fit although nowhere near what I was in my early/mid 20's when I was racing every weekend pretty much.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 3:23 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

By the sounds of it, most of you are fitter than me - even if I can now get into skinny trousers.

Ah well... if I ever meet any of you I'll be sure to suck my (small) gut in. 😉


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 3:39 pm
Posts: 11937
Free Member
 

No one is naturally fit

I'd say that [i]everyone[/i] is naturally fit. Just most people are unnaturally inactive and eat more than is natural.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 3:45 pm
Posts: 11395
Full Member
 

You mean the lack of it?

Cynic... I just like to sharpen my sense of wonder.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 3:48 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm naturally built for moving about, and I did well in my fitness for GCSE PE, but i don't do as much as i should. Hockey keeps me at an adequate level, but my endurance is fairly rubbish.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 3:52 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Bit of a strange question as I don't think anyone is naturally fit, only some people have better genes for ability to be 'fit'. People who lean toward ectomorph and mesomorph somatypes are always going to find it easier to get fit.

I have great genes for endurance sports, but piss poor for explosive strength sports. My diet is pretty good (not out of choice) no sugar, no wheat, no dairy, no caffine.

I can lose fat pretty quickly, but also lose muscle quickly, so have to eat a hell of a lot to stay at my ideal weight.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 4:35 pm
Posts: 31206
Full Member
 

People who lean toward ectomorph and mesomorph somatypes are always going to find it easier to get fit.

[img] [/img] ?


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 4:45 pm
 ton
Posts: 24200
Full Member
 

does anyone believe that you can be fat and fit?

prior to my electrical malfunction of the heart i always thought of my self as pretty fit for a big fat bloke.
at the age of 17to 21 i was about 16 stone, but at the time i was a profesional rugby league player.
i them started cycling and running longer distances to aid my training.
this led to me completing around 20 or so triathlons in the late 80's and early 90's.
i have also completed 4 half marathons whilst weighing 18 stone.
i have cycled since the age of 14, firstly with the ctc, then the rsf and i have montainbiked since the mid 80's.
i have ridden about 12 polaris 2 day events, various mtb enduro events (merida's, rough rides, whinlatter challenges).
i have ridden audax rides up to 300k whilst weighing 19 or so stones.
i have ridden with dozens of people off here who are obviously a lot slimmer and healthy looking than me, but i am pretty sure i have managed to keep up on the rides and have not held them up or made them wait too long.

i am not trying to blow my own trumpet, just stating that you do not have to look athletic and fit to be fit.
it would be nice to look like a adonis tho............ 😉


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 5:15 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Bit of a strange question as I don't think anyone is naturally fit, only some people have better genes for ability to be 'fit'.

When I started this thread I wasn't really talking about natural fitness, as in innate biological/genetic fitness, but rather fitness as a habit that goes beyond MTBing.

As I've said, I'm way fitter now than I was because I ride, but if I didn't ride I wouldn't really have much of a fitness habit. I'm scared of gyms, I don't run etc. I would be flabby. That's it, really. 😉


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 6:49 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'm really unfit atm.

Havent been able to do any sort of exercise for nearly 4 months.. went from riding every day to nothing.. :/

worst thing is watching my weight stay the same, but my belly grow..


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 8:10 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

What happened, anto164? I hope you're on the mend...


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 8:28 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Snapped my spine one sunny sunday morning at the end of June whilst dirt jumping. Shit happens, but i'm on the mend.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 8:46 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Blimey, that sounds pretty serious! All the best, mate. I hope you get back on track.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 8:55 pm
Posts: 2
Free Member
 

Yep, I'd agree with coincidentally fit thing. I ride a lot because I enjoy it and it saves me money when commuting.

I eat a load of crap (sometimes although I guess my general diet is OK) and drink a bit too much. I'd be a mess if I didn't exercise.

I'm pretty skinny nowadays, when I posted a picture of my tattoo a while back on here people told me to stop breathing in when I wasn't which did wonders for my ego.

Quite happy with the situation.


 
Posted : 17/10/2011 8:59 pm
 D0NK
Posts: 592
Full Member
 

I'm always astonished at the levels of fitness on STW Peak forum rides.
oooh you bad bad man

😀


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 8:00 am
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

I have been fit for years and years, just active and healthy kinda guy. When I was a kid though I did put a lot of weight on (13yrs-15yrs) not sure why but I did. After that little era I simply lost it all and being active and sporty has just been my way of life. About 6 years ago I had some presure at work and seem to worry a lot, I put weight on, once I sorted myself out it dropped off again and I been roughly the same weight since 18, small range between 73-78 kgs, which is about right for me.
No diets here, healthy food choices. I drink 1 maybe 2 bottles of wine a week, if I don't I don't miss it, only drink "real ale" (no lager or mass produced beers) But do like whisky so occasional tipple before beddybys. Chinese and Indian food takeaways twice a month max.

I guess the main ingredient to all this is I just like gettting outside and playing.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 8:13 am
Posts: 11395
Full Member
 

I'd come at it from a slightly different angle. I think there's a problem in the UK in the sense that medics and health 'experts' and the media have tried to turn 'fitness' into something that's an activity in itself, which it never was and mixed it up with endless crap about six-packs and aesthetics.

It's epitomised by the miserable people you see jogging or sulking in gyms because their GP has told them to go there - there are even schemes where GPs refer patients to gyms fercirissakes. Its fundamentally wrong headed - those people will never get consistently fit because they don't enjoy what they're doing, so they will never carry on doing it. You can see it written all over their miserable faces.

The only real exceptions to that are people who are so narcissistic that they'll inflict pain on themselves just to look 'good' and professional athletes who are basically working for money. Or possibly those with a physically active job who, again, have no choice.

For any half-normal human being in this country, it's about finding a sport or hobby that you love. For me that's bikes, running, walking, climbing, but equally it could be table tennis or football or even going to the gym, if you enjoy that stuff and some people do. Find something you love and you'll carry on doing it because you're passionate about it. I find it harder to not ride my bike than to ride it, always makes me wonder when people struggle to get out there.

Anyway... that's my take on it. I guess the nub of it is that I think rather than trying to persuade all those sofa-surfers to go to the gym and 'get fit' we should be helping them to find activities that they become passionate about because that's the only way they'll get and stay consistently fit. And if they can't be arsed, stuff 'em ...

That's my take on it anyway 🙂


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 8:16 am
Posts: 11395
Full Member
 

Oh, and Ton's post about being big and fit. All part of the same thing. If you build a culture where being 'fit' is all mixed up with aestheticcs, people start judging fitness by how you look rather than how you perform. I know plenty of folk who look nothing like elite athletes, but are improbably quick and strong and, well, 'fit'.

As an aside, if you're into climbing, Andy Kirkpatrick looks like a big, slightly tubby, moth-eaten teddy bear with stuffing starting to leak out at the seams, but is actually one of the toughest, most effective mountaineers out there. And then there was Don Whillans...


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 8:22 am
 D0NK
Posts: 592
Full Member
 

It's epitomised by the miserable people you see jogging or sulking in gyms
I keep telling my mrs nobody enjoys running, it's awful, however I still do it occasionally coz I like abusing my body and it helps keep me fit over the winter when another slog through the mud doesn't appeal or I'm short on time. But I'm back to "being able to do one more hill" ethos.
Completely agree on finding a physical activity you enjoy but I think there's plenty of people out there who don't enjoy [i]anything[/i] that involves building up a sweat (bedroom antics excepted)


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 9:14 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I find it harder to not ride my bike than to ride it, always makes me wonder when people struggle to get out there.

BadlyWiredDog, there's way too much sense in your posts for this forum! 😆

I like abusing my body

😯


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 9:22 am
 D0NK
Posts: 592
Full Member
 

don't look at me like that! climbing big unclimbable hills till you collapse by the side of the trail head spinning, hyperventilating and nauseous, hills reps till your thighs are on fire, running till you can't walk, all good clean fun.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 9:34 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Okay, your explanation inspires me to change 😯 to 🙂 .


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 9:37 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

'Fitness' is just an industry.

Being fit and healthy comes from moving around quickly for short periods, slowly for a long time, lifting heavy things, eating certain things and not eating certain other things.

How much of that someone chooses to do is entirely up to them. It's not a natural occurrence or talent.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 9:49 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

It's not a natural occurrence or talent.

I used to think it might be a bit of an addiction...


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 10:08 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

'Fitness' is just an industry.

Being fit and healthy comes from moving around quickly for short periods, slowly for a long time, lifting heavy things, eating certain things and not eating certain other things.

How much of that someone chooses to do is entirely up to them. It's not a natural occurrence or talent.

Much truth. But thanks to Progress many of us are desk jockeys who 'work' by sitting in front of glowing rectangles all day. Phsyical activity no longer required.

Then the fitness industry comes along promoting people with six-packs (as the average person gets fatter & fatter), whilst charging us extra for foods with less calories! Genius!


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 10:10 am
Posts: 11937
Free Member
 

For any half-normal human being in this country, it's about finding a sport or hobby that you love.

I've found a sport/hobby that I love. It gets pushed to the side by family and work.

Making being active part of your everyday life is the key. I [i]have[/i] to go to work and the only means I have of getting there are to walk or ride.

How much of that someone chooses to do is entirely up to them. It's not a natural occurrence or talent.

I'd argue that moving things, moving yourself and eating stuff available locally and in season are natural occurrences. Moving about in a tin box, sitting down all day and sitting down all evening are unnatural.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 10:13 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

it's interesting to think about when 'moving about' became a chore. For me, I remember when I was in primary school we lived in a block of flats that had a communal swimming pool (not the UK) After school without fail we were always down splashing about, swimming loads - so obviously I had no problem with general moving about; it just felt 'natural'

Cue secondary school, your fitness is suddenly organised, and into team oriented competitive sports (which I absolutely loathed) - and suddenly I started to associate exercise as something of a chore.

I didn't really do any sort of 'extra' exercise (apart from walking places) until a few years ago. I slowly realised that I could enjoy moving about on my own (I prefer running in the morning when there are less people about) The benefit is that I feel much better and stronger, though I'm not 'fit' compared to you types! but I still have a bit of a hangover of seeing it as a necessary but enjoyable chore - I still usually have to 'organise' it into my day; it's not spontaneous.

If I stopped I'm sure I would feel awful, lethargic and become agitated (not any fatter though) - so I guess I now see extended exercise as an essential thing to do, but because I still give it a label like that I maybe don't see it as entirely natural yet?


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:00 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

it's interesting to think about when 'moving about' became a chore.

I discovered the joys of sleep ins and general lethargy in my teenage years. Now, sleep ins are impossible due to work and the presence of Camo8 and I find I actually like moving again.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:14 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

That's a good point and I see what you mean about how it starts getting organised at secondry school. That's when I got put off exercise too!
The more organised it is, the more it starts feeling like it's for experts only; the sporty kids and the others; gym rats & fatties; them and us.

I slowly realised that I could enjoy moving about on my own

That got me too! Then I started feeling I was taking responsibility for my own body, not worrying about competing with others. I guess a lot of people never get that feeling back after leaving school.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:15 am
Posts: 10855
Full Member
 

Actually +1 for school killing an interest in being active. For me it was because I wasn't allowed to wear my glasses for any of it, and I was very short sighted to the extent that I couldn't see the ball half the time and just chased round after the fuzzy blobs of other players. And as for hurdles... ouch. So any enthusiasm I had for such stuff was killed off by a stupid rule from our PE teacher and I didn't find a sport I enjoyed until I'd left school and found that it was possible to enjoy what you were doing if you could actually see 10 feet in front of your face.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:24 am
 emsz
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

school sports

*shudders*


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:29 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I'd argue that moving things, moving yourself and eating stuff available locally and in season are natural occurrences. Moving about in a tin box, sitting down all day and sitting down all evening are unnatural.

Indeed. Though it should also be remembered that it may also be argued that minimising energy expenditure wherever possible is another entirely natural thing to do.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:32 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

When I started this thread I wasn't really talking about natural fitness, as in innate biological/genetic fitness, but rather fitness as a habit that goes beyond MTBing.

As I've said, I'm way fitter now than I was because I ride, but if I didn't ride I wouldn't really have much of a fitness habit. I'm scared of gyms, I don't run etc. I would be flabby. That's it, really.

So what you are talking about is bodyfat fat rather than fit. As Ton mentioned in the post earlier, it is possible to bit 'fit' and still have a a highish bodyfat percentage. Fat loss is a result of diet and exercise and manipulating the two to achieve a goal. Being 'fit' is something different. The two cross over and are interlinked, but are not the same.

Bodybuilders have the lowest bodyfat of just about anyone, yet they are not cardiovasularly 'fit' as they do the vast majority of cv at around 55% of max hr. This burns fat, but does not do a lot for conditioning your heart and lungs.

Fitness is a bit misunderstood, as most people associate 'fitness' with being lean and having a particular look. This is not the case.

If I didn't ride bikes I would probably not be as 'fit' cv wise, but I would still train in the gym and find other sports to play. I would still be lean if I didn't do any training as I have a fast metabolism and eat well.


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:38 am
Posts: 11937
Free Member
 

Indeed. Though it should also be remembered that it may also be argued that minimising energy expenditure wherever possible is another entirely natural thing to do.

True. As is stuffing your face on sweet things when available 🙂


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:41 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

So what you are talking about is bodyfat fat rather than fit. As Ton mentioned in the post earlier, it is possible to bit 'fit' and still have a a highish bodyfat percentage. Fat loss is a result of diet and exercise and manipulating the two to achieve a goal. Being 'fit' is something different. The two cross over and are interlinked, but are not the same.

You're right. My terminology was not sufficiently precise or rigorous. It was, if you will, a layman's phrase and proof of my hopeless tendency towards inexactitude. 😳

Just to clarify, then – I meant 'fit' in the conventional, generally understood sense, not in the rigorous medical/health sense. Sheesh. 😀


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:51 am
Posts: 11395
Full Member
 

BadlyWiredDog, there's way too much sense in your posts for this forum! 🙂

There's a first time for everything... 😉


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:57 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

[img] [/img]

Here is a picture of paddy doyle, who held loads of endurance records and is pretty damm fit. He also has a bit of a gut.

Fitness and bodyfat percentage, don't confuse the two 😉


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 11:58 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Fitness and bodyfat percentage, don't confuse the two 😉

Gotcha!

😉


 
Posted : 18/10/2011 12:10 pm