On the working out, does anyone have any suggestions for not feeling the next day like they got their asses kicked? While not "working out", I motorcycled for around 6 hours yesterday in 90F+ weather, with a good bit of manual labor before that for two hours. Today, I feel like utter shit and have gotten little done. My arms, back and hands are killing me and I feel very unproductive. This is the main thing that keeps me away from more constant working out. I don't want to always feel tired or worn out.
You feel it a lot when you first start exercising, but not so much after that. You don't want to over-do it - it seems a lot better to do a little bit of exercise on a regular basis than lots rarely.
Gotcha. While I know that motorcycling isn't traditional exercise, it beats the hell out of me. I've got a comfortable bike that fits me well, but still any trip over 3-4 hours still starts pushing me. When I did Ohio to Boston in April, it physically decimated me with the wind, distance, cold and rain.
I've never been on a motorcycle (I like my skin where it is) - what kind of exercise it?
There is a substantial difference between resistance and aerobic exercise - I find it's good to have both, and that they both compliment each other. Stronger leg muscles mean higher jumps and a faster stride, and aerobic training means better use of oxygen, so more reps, etc etc etc.
I'd most compare it to yoga I suppose. You're in a weird position, its really hard on your wrists as you're putting a good bit of weight and pressure on them. Lots of precise muscle control, as small movements of your head even can direct your motion. You're being hit constantly with wind, and your muscles tense up a lot. Also, its very hot (or sometimes very cold) frequently. Not 'exercise' as much as abuse and strain.
Yeah, shorter but burstier workouts. Eg, no more than 30 minutes in the gym, but don't rest between sets or exercises.
Just push it as hard as you can without risking injury for 20-30m, then quit. Do that with high scheduling variance (one week do it 4 times, the next week 1 time, etc. Variance, not routine, is key). Combine with long walks (to work if you're not too far away), bike riding, anything to reduce your sedentaryness.
This isn't a body-building or triathlete program, it's just a healthy one. Don't think of working out in terms of deterministic, 1:1, input=output. Rather think of it terms of signaling your body in ways that trigger certain gene expression that leads to a healthier metabolism.
The degree of soreness you'll feel after your first few workouts is a degree of soreness you'll never feel again (until you stop working out and get out of shape).
I find that there's an intensity sweet spot. Usually when you're just starting to work out "for real" you just can't help being worn out the first several times. But soon after the work out actually makes you more energized. If being worn out persists I would reduce intensity and perhaps tweak the weights/aerobic balance. Maybe you need more running and the like, or perhaps more weight type exercise.
A lot of "natural" physical activities (i.e. manual labor) tend to be repetitive in ways that don't exercise your body evenly enough, which can cause greater fatigue.
Just repetition. Most people quit working out at the gym after the first 1-2 times because of the intense soreness the following day(s). The trick is to keep at it for 1-2 weeks. After your body has adjusted, the post-workout soreness will be minimal but you'll feel refreshed and revived for 24 hours (in my experience)
