22-09-2005 17:26									#31
	Put an end to popups!

I get angry when I read topics like this. So much crap advice is handed out.

Running should be taken slowly at first. I would recommend no more than 5-10 minutes per week day. As your body gets used to the change, perhaps after a month or so, extend to 20 minutes per day. 45 minutes for an unfit person is dangerous and stupid. I've been jogging since high school - even I would find 45 minutes a tedious, unnecessary strain.

Allow your body time to rest. I would recommend weekends free from running.

Exercise though is going to be a big waste of time unless you get your diet right. It is incredibly simple: a balanced diet with lots of vegetables, fruit and grains, and minimum fat and sugar. When you cut sugary products from your diet, your tastebuds adapt to simpler flavours. You start to become interested in fruit as snacks rather than naughty things.

Who cooks an elaborate meal for breakfast except maybe the english? Just have a bowl of high fibre cereal. 30 seconds preparation.

Swimming is probably very good for you, but I have always found it highly frustrating.

Firstly, it is a hassle going to the pool, paying for entry, getting changed, finding a free lane, getting dried, getting dressed.

It is monotonous. It takes concentration to maintain a fluid swim stroke, and maintain a good pace, so the mind (mine at least) is not free to think constructively, or just drift off in a day dream. I am trapped with little mental stimulation, in a tedious, boring chore.

Where I live it is also very aggravating. Usually you have to share a lane with two, three, sometimes even four other swimmers. So you also have to concentrate on watching out for them, overtaking slow swimmers, or worse, being overtaken yourself.

I must admit it is refreshing when you finish swimming, but what a price to pay.

A jog on the other hands is free, time efficient, mentally stimulating, and healthy providing you don't run excessive distances and at a nice easy pace.

Last edited by Bkeela on 22-09-2005 at 17:39