Play WoW AND get in shape!

[Arnold]

Not all of us really want to bulked up so much as simply to be healthy - the skinny geek idea works, being all muscle-bound just doesn't match everyone's self-image.

See, that's a terrible bit of misinformation that gets passed around the general population and used as an excuse not to work out.  You are not just going to walk into a gym and get bulked up.  Bulking up, without drugs, takes lots of planning, work, time, and dedication.  Normal people who want to be healthy don't turn into musclebound freaks of nature simply by working out casually.

Also, another thing to keep in mind is that being skinny does not necessarily mean one is weak.  Training for strength is different from training for bulk, although there is some overlap in the two.  Lots of "bulked up" guys are all show and weak.

Going down to the gym and using those facilities, factoring in travel time and whatnot, costs an extra hour (your milage may vary depending on your distance from the gym).   That kind of time investment is out of the acceptable limits of people whose self-image is fixated elsewhere, jobs and familys largely factoring into that.

Using the word "investment" is right on.  I view exercising as an investment in my health and my self.  An hour a day is not much of a price to pay for the rewards you reap.  And once those rewards start coming in, it doesn't feel like a chore, but something to look forward to.

To say that self-images are all adjustable and everybody can take to exercising is like saying that a specific game is fun for everybody.   Different strokes (no pun intended) for different folks.

That's absurd.  The human body is meant to move and do work.  If the human body isn't used what it was meant for, it starts falling apart.  If your ancestors took your point of you, they would have starved and you would have never been born.  Obviously, exercising worked for them.

I will agree with you that turning off the TV - or multitasking TV watching with exercise - is a great way to produce time.  However, again, some people live for the TV.  The same could be said for gaming.    So, combine gaming with exercise and we're actually agreeing with the topic origin here.

Oh yeah, I never dsiputed that the guy wouldn't burn calories and lose weight.  What I had issue with was the use of the word "superman".  Like anything else, you cannot achieve physical excellence without focus.

[Arnold]

On a side note, my leg strength has gone down the crapper.  Really down the crapper.  Any suggestions?  Any opinions about weight vests?

Deadlift.

[stray]

I think it's best to just ignore Geldon. To even think this shit is debatable shows that he likes being contrary just for the hell of it.

I tried to be nice once, but to put it plain and simple, Geldon: You're an asshole in the truest sense. Pretty much for the same reasons as Hyu and the Furry.

[UD_Delt]

I've always been confused about the no time to exercise argument. Maybe I'm just unusual but when I'm in shape I tend to sleep for 6-7 hours and feel fine after that. When I get lazy and out of shape I tend to need 8-9 hours before feeling fully rested.

I guess in the interim before you get yourself back in shape the time argument holds up but it still just seems like a weak excuse.

[Nebu]

I also agree with UD.  The energy I get from being fit allows me to be more productive during my waking hours giving me even more time to exercise.  It's a cyclic process.

Everyone that reads these forums has time to exercise.  Saying otherwise would just be an excuse.

[Soukyan]

I exercise daily. Hell, sometimes I even exorcise, just for shits and giggles.

[WayAbvPar]

The start of a trend?

My biggest complaint about exercising is that it is incredibly boring. If I watch my TiVo or play a video game while doing it, I am much more likely to get it done. Unfortunately I don't have the room in my apartment for a treadmilll or exercise bike.

I am also lazy as all get out, but if my mind is occupied with something besides the thought of "GODDAMN this is boring", there is a better chance for me to keep at it.

[Arnold]

The start of a trend?

More likely, the start of a fad.  Exercise junk gets used for the intended purpose for 2 weeks and then becomes just junk.

[LordDax]

An interesting line of debate going here. For all those looking at the "but I have a family" angle, take em with you. Bring the whole family to the gym. We all go together. Once your family members starts getting compliments on the way they are looking now they'll be hooked, plus a fit and healthy partner can create more fire in the bedroom...

 If  you don't want to leave your gaming behind then grab a handheld and hit the recumbent bike or the elliptical, a fair number of gyms won't mind(at least the RWJ:Wellness Center doesn't). A number of the newer gyms also have satellite tv with local controls that you can jack into if you bring your own headphones.  

If you are looking to actually develop a workout stick to it for a month, it takes around 21 days for an activity to become a habit.  And in an era of chip, soda and tv induced health ailements, you just might end up adding a few years to your life.

[Dark Vengeance]

Everyone that reads these forums has time to exercise.  Saying otherwise would just be an excuse.

I think my co-workers would figure out that I'm not working if I started busting out power squats here in my cubicle. Maybe your office is different.

Bring the noise.
Cheers............

[Soukyan]

Everyone that reads these forums has time to exercise.  Saying otherwise would just be an excuse.

I think my co-workers would figure out that I'm not working if I started busting out power squats here in my cubicle. Maybe your office is different.

Bring the noise.
Cheers............

That was funny. Thanks. :)

[AlteredOne]

I think my co-workers would figure out that I'm not working if I started busting out power squats here in my cubicle. Maybe your office is different.

At my old job before they laid off 70% of the company, we had a contractor who wore nothing but black leather, including gloves.  He refused to remove the gloves, even while working.  Sometimes during conversations with women, he would drop to the floor and do push-ups, while continuing to speak to them.   He lasted about 2 weeks, until they could document how to fire him.  But oh, the stories he left us, in such a short time...

[Nebu]

I think my co-workers would figure out that I'm not working if I started busting out power squats here in my cubicle. Maybe your office is different.

Ok, that was funny.  

Exercising takes 20 mins, 3 times a week.  That was my point.  If it's important to people, they'll find the time.  Exercise and diet are two ways people can drastically improve their quality of life.  They don't take much effort, just a change in habits.

As for my office, I traded a high salary for personal (and intellectual) freedom.  I never thought about it, but I guess I could do squats here.

[geldonyetich]

Stray, just because you disagree with my reasoning doesn't make me an asshole.   (My thin-skinned habits of responding to insults that can derail a thread makes me an asshole, but not that.)  However, calling me names because you cannot see my point of view does classify you as one, does it not?

Moving right along, not all of us like to exercise.  There's lots of excuses as to why, and they're fairly good excuses:  It's work, and not all of us feel that the work is worth the reward.  We're shy and don't feel like working out among other people.  It's too much of a change in our daily regimen to up and go to a gym.   Maybe it offends your sensibilities that people have invented these reasons, but skill at self-delusion is unfortunately part of being human.

That said, I never denied that, regardless of how we might feel on the matter, there is definite benefits to exercising.     Just ask google, there's lots of things somebody can do get over their reasons not to exercise.

However, the real topic here isn't about whether somebody should or should not exercise.  The real topic is that somebody hooked up a treadmill to their computer.   Is that a bad thing?   Personally I think it's a good way to multitask, if you can pull it off comfortably.    Going to a gym may be all well and good for you, but if I can achieve the same thing in the privacy and convenience in my own home, that works too.

[AlteredOne]

I just want to know, how much electricity can a treadmill generate, and can I sell it back to the power company to help pay for my gaming habit?  I heard in California, households with solar panels can actually turn a profit.  Get in shape, AND earn money!

[LordDax]

I just want to know, how much electricity can a treadmill generate, and can I sell it back to the power company to help pay for my gaming habit?  I heard in California, households with solar panels can actually turn a profit.  Get in shape, AND earn money!

I think I read in an old mag somewhere of some guy in Germany powering an old NES with his stationary bike. Id love to see someone try and pedal power a modern pc. Mmmm I can hear the flesh and sinew popping off their bones. What wonderful music!

[Nebu]

However, the real topic here isn't about whether somebody should or should not exercise.  The real topic is that somebody hooked up a treadmill to their computer.   Is that a bad thing?   Personally I think it's a good way to multitask, if you can pull it off comfortably.    Going to a gym may be all well and good for you, but if I can achieve the same thing in the privacy and convenience in my own home, that works too.

The guy hooked up a treadmill to drive his gaming habit.  It's just funny on so many levels... this is obvious, isn't it? If it's making the guy happy then who the hell cares what anyone else thinks?  Noone is getting hurt.  

As for exercise, it's your life and your body so you get to decide.  Unfortunately, the real bottom line is that people that don't lead healthy lives create real costs for those that do.  If you don't believe me, it's easy to look up.  Insurance premiums and health care costs are driven up by poor lifestyle choices.

[geldonyetich]

Very true, although lack exercise and a bad diet is just one (two?) fascet(s) of that.  I wonder how it compares to smoking and drinking.

[AlteredOne]

Very true, although lack exercise and a bad diet is just one (two?) fascet(s) of that.  I wonder how it compares to smoking and drinking.

As Nebu says, statistics are available, I'm sure Google can find them.  But there is overwhelming evidence that exercise is good, period.  And there are ways of measuring fitness, other than body appearance.  I know some chubby-looking people who exercise plenty, and are extremely fit according to doctors based on biometrics/blood tests/etc.  Sure, if you are extremely obese you must start an exercise plan gradually, but I've never seen any reputable study saying that moderate exercise is harmful.

If you are in good physical condition, your body is more tolerant of almost everything -- alcohol, bad food, you name it.  So sorry if it feels like folks are picking on you, but it's a very hard case to argue that exercise is optional.

[geldonyetich]

So sorry if it feels like folks are picking on you, but it's a very hard case to argue that exercise is optional.

It would be if that were what I was arguing, yes.

What I've pointed out is that there's many powerful reasons why people don't exercise.  These reasons aren't related to their health, because clearly exercising is nothing but good for it.   On retrospect, it's not really on topic with the man that hooked up a treadmill to his computer, but things kinda turned that way as threads are wont to do.

[AlteredOne]

Ah yes geldon, it does seem that we seized on part of what you said, without the bigger context.

As for powering a computer with a treadmill, on the bright side WoW doesn't have top-end hardware requirements.  I wonder whether it would be possible to power a very efficient laptop?  I think the monitor would be the real power hog.  Maybe if you de-coupled the display and only powered the computer, it might be possible...  I wanna see some numbers.

[Dark Vengeance]

So sorry if it feels like folks are picking on you, but it's a very hard case to argue that exercise is optional.

It would be if that were what I was arguing, yes.

What I've pointed out is that there's many powerful reasons why people don't exercise.  These reasons aren't related to their health, because clearly exercising is nothing but good for it.   On retrospect, it's not really on topic with the man that hooked up a treadmill to his computer, but things kinda turned that way as threads are wont to do.

So your point is basically that people have come up with some damn good excuses over the years for being fat slobs. Let's all celebrate your eccentric misunderstood genius in reaching such a conclusion.

*crickets chirping*

Okay, now perhaps you'll want to consider that this is yet another "hey look at what this stupid guy did and join me in mocking him" thread that you've attempted to de-rail into some larger discussion on exercise.

What this guy did is only slightly better than rigging up a MMOG setup in his bathroom so he can play on the toilet. And it's only slightly less ridiculous.

Stray, just because you disagree with my reasoning doesn't make me an asshole.

For once, you're right....there are a plethora of other reasons available.

Bring the noise.
Cheers...............

[Shockeye]

What this guy did is only slightly better than rigging up a MMOG setup in his bathroom so he can play on the toilet.

Damn, that is a great time management idea. I could re-subscribe to WoW and play while in the bathroom. This is genius!

[geldonyetich]

Rest easy, gentle reader, there shall be no DV vrs Geldon trainwreck on this thread.   DV's remarkable ability to invent conflicts where there are none remains one of the many wonders of this world, to the point where I fear I see little point in replying to him anymore, and instead I shall sit here in rapt fascination with his deliberate misinterpretation of my written word, getting fatter.   I know not what stirs his ire to provoke such acts, only that his literary vendetta is as unceasing as it is irrational.

[CmdrSlack]

Rest easy, gentle reader, there shall be no DV vrs Geldon trainwreck on this thread.   DV's remarkable ability to invent conflicts where there are none remains one of the many wonders of this world, to the point where I fear I see little point in replying to him anymore, and instead I shall sit here in rapt fascination with his deliberate misinterpretation of my written word, getting fatter.

I think there already is one.

That said. . .

So your point is basically that people have come up with some damn good excuses over the years for being fat slobs. Let's all celebrate your eccentric misunderstood genius in reaching such a conclusion.

*crickets chirping*

Okay, now perhaps you'll want to consider that this is yet another "hey look at what this stupid guy did and join me in mocking him" thread that you've attempted to de-rail into some larger discussion on exercise.

When did you become the arbiter of cool?  So this poor slob decided that he wanted to merge gaming and working out.  So what?  Given the stupid excuses people make for not exercising, this guy at very least has made a commitment to getting in shape.  

Sure, his method is outlandish, but it's far from Rube Goldberg-complex/stupid.  

You people can't have anything nice, can you?

[sidereal]

What this guy did is only slightly better than rigging up a MMOG setup in his bathroom so he can play on the toilet. And it's only slightly less ridiculous.

Wait, are treadmills always ridiculous, or only when you're playing a game while running on one?  Is watching TV on your treadmill more or less ridiculous?  We have a stationary bike downstairs, upon which I read.  Ridiculous?

[geldonyetich]

Out of curiously, did I really de-rail a "hey look at what this stupid guy did and join me in mocking him" thread, and if so is that a problem?

I mean, if you want me to play along it's not that hard to run a quick mental check, "Is this thread attempting to bring to our attention a potential target of ridicule".   Then, if so, I could say something like: "GUFFAW!  That guy did done something I never did do!"  Even though my heart really wouldn't be in it knowing this approach is less than a critical interpretation.

[stray]

Stray, just because you disagree with my reasoning doesn't make me an asshole.

For once, you're right....there are a plethora of other reasons available.

Bring the noise.
Cheers...............

...Though he misunderstood why I called him one. It isn't because of his reasoning on this particular issue. I'm criticizing him more for (what I think are) his motivations.

For someone to consistently jump into threads and respond with the most half-assed arguments etc...Well, it just seems to me like he's just looking for any excuse to disagree or put himself at odds with others. Someone couldn't possibly believe all the stupid shit Geldon says unless they were mentally retarded or just doing it to be an asshole.

Be glad Geldon, at least I don't think you're retarded.

[geldonyetich]

In this case I didn't even notice I was participating in a "lets mock this guy" thread, because I would think that as a gamer trying to mesh one's gaming time and one's exercise time is a serious topic.  I've seriously put some serious thought in it, given my unfortunate tendacy to want to spend every scrap of free time in front of the computer.

However, my actual motivation for jumping into such threads with a argument is that, on some level, the reason to attack the selected target of mockery doesn't pan out under critical evaluation.      Unfortunately, I'm not very good at putting together a compelling argument, so when nobody catches on with what I'm saying my sentiments generally just deadpan and I end up looking bad.   It's why I tend not to argue with DV and Boog anymore - I've learned they're either really bad at catching on or prefer not to.

But if you, and the majority of the board, really think the only reason I ever get involved with a thread is either "to be argumentive" or "because I'm retarded"... I don't know, maybe it's time to retire, let the new generation take over things.   If mockery is more important than critical thinking here, boy, am I ever in the wrong place.   No wonder you're ticked off at me, I should just let you guys have your fun and remain blissfully unaware of the potential circumstances that make a matter not worth mocking.

[Dark Vengeance]

When did you become the arbiter of cool?

Birth.

So this poor slob decided that he wanted to merge gaming and working out.  So what?  Given the stupid excuses people make for not exercising, this guy at very least has made a commitment to getting in shape.

If walking at 2.5-3.1 miles per hour constitutes a workout for you, you've put off getting in shape for FAR FAR TOO LONG. That's less of a workout than going to the grocery store or the local shopping mall.

I CAN CRAWL A 20 MINUTE MILE.

Wait, are treadmills always ridiculous, or only when you're playing a game while running on one? Is watching TV on your treadmill more or less ridiculous? We have a stationary bike downstairs, upon which I read. Ridiculous?

Point being the guy is so catasstastic as to rig up a MMOG-treadmill setup so he wouldn't have to spend a few hours away from his MMOG to do such strenuous activity as WALKING.

Out of curiously, did I really de-rail a "hey look at what this stupid guy did and join me in mocking him" thread, and if so is that a problem?

Yes it is. That is precisely how you earned your title. To wit:

In this case I didn't even notice I was participating in a "lets mock this guy" thread, because I would think that as a gamer trying to mesh one's gaming time and one's exercise time is a serious topic.

Not one response in the thread prior to yours took it seriously. Afterwards you started trying to make the earth-shattering point of "there are some very good reasons for not exercising". Those reasons are what the rest of us refer to as "excuses".

So not only didn't you understand that it was a "hey look at teh stupid" thread, but your line of "serious discussion" was neither a good point nor even an interesting conversation.

Christ. I hate it when people need it spelled out for them.

Bring the noise.
Cheers.............

[geldonyetich]

I finally get it - this place, in the fine tradition of LTM, is endeavoring to be a place of mockery, except extending this to even non-game related things.   How about that, I finally figured out where the problem is.  I shall blog it immediately.   Mark it on your calendars: The day Geldonyetich gets it.

I don't like "hey look at teh stupid" threads.  I've been inadvertently raining on your parade by pointing out the flaws in the logic of mocking them.   No wonder you argued so vehemently against what I was saying: I was ruining what you call "teh funny" and you were fighting tooth and nail to preserve it at all costs.

I don't know, Lum, did you really take it upon yourself to mock things that you didn't critically evaluate as being worth mocking first?   Seems that what DV's campaigning here is sort of a cheap knock-off mockery to me. They're pushing in the wrong direction, going through the motions but not actually connecting with the substance.  Wanting to emulate the fun of mocking something so badly, it doesn't even matter of it's really worth mocking anymore.

Mock Mockery?

Well shoot, it's not even worth mentioning that I was fully aware that those were "excuses" to not exercise but that they applied nonetheless to the reasons why people don't.

Hrmph, can't post in Politics because I'm under-qualified.  Can't post in General because I'm over-qualified.   Not sure exactly what I'm doing here.   I guess there's the game forum, hmm...

[Arnold]

Very true, although lack exercise and a bad diet is just one (two?) fascet(s) of that.  I wonder how it compares to smoking and drinking.

Sometime in the last year, I read a report on a study that found not exercising to be the worst of many bad habits.  The study basically said you could smoke, or drink, or whatever (it didn't really go into combinations of vices, though) and if you exercised regularly, you would have a better chance of being healthy than someone who did not engage in the vice, but also didn't exercise.

[AlteredOne]

Sometime in the last year, I read a report on a study that found not exercising to be the worst of many bad habits.  The study basically said you could smoke, or drink, or whatever (it didn't really go into combinations of vices, though) and if you exercised regularly, you would have a better chance of being healthy than someone who did not engage in the vice, but also didn't exercise.

The combinations are always the fun part... Now THAT would be an entertaining paid college health study to organize.  For $5000 you must:
- Train 3 hours per day, and participate in a triathlon
- Eat a minimum 4 twinkies, a Big Mac, and a bag of Tater Tots daily
- Smoke 5 cigarettes per day
- Binge drink at one case of beer per weekend
- Catass at a computer game 40 hours per week

Wonder whether fitness would triumph?  Honestly I can eat and drink almost anything in massive quantities during soccer season, without noticable consequences.

[CmdrSlack]

If walking at 2.5-3.1 miles per hour constitutes a workout for you, you've put off getting in shape for FAR FAR TOO LONG. That's less of a workout than going to the grocery store or the local shopping mall.

I CAN CRAWL A 20 MINUTE MILE.

At least the guy isn't just sitting there.  If he's so lazy he has to use a MMOG as a carrot/stick device to exercise at all, well that's sad, yeah, but at least he's "trying."

That's better than a few people here can claim I'd bet.

[Krakrok]

I CAN CRAWL A 20 MINUTE MILE.

I've got $20 here that says you can't. And if you try that would be something worth mocking.