5 answers
Kain
Student
Thousand Oaks, California
1
Question
Asked
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Why does the human body not like to work out.
Why don’t we like to exercise even though it is good for you. I mean it’s better for you and gets your energy high and better for your looks and personalities.
5 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
657
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
There could be several reasons, muscle fatigue, overwork syndrome, mental or physical staleness. Let me make a suggestion.
Ernst Van Aaken was a German cardiologist, who trained several Olympians and Olympic medalists. Back in the mid twentieth century he ran several studies on maintaining physical fitness and why the body does not want to train on certain days.
He discovered that the body can only maintain a certain training load for a fixed amount of time, before it needed a rest to regenerate itself. For example, when he trained Olympic runners, he found out that they could maintain long distance training sessions, by taking planned walking breaks for several minutes. He experimented with a runner named Harold Norpoth, who ran for one mile on a track, then took a walking break, and then ran for another mile.
Van Aaken discovered that Norpoth could run for several hours doing this technique. Emil Zatopek used a very similar training, and went on to win five Olympic medals (four of them gold).
Ultra-athletes also use this form of training, and utilize it when they race. Former Olympian, Jeff Galloway, coaches his runners to use this form of training as well.
Van Aaken called it the "pause that refreshes," but it also prevented athletes from overtraining and going stale, which kept them fresh physically and mentally, and allowed them to train for many months and achieve peak performance, while minimizing injuries.
So, the "Van Aaken Method" is something to consider in order to overcome fatigue and staleness, and allow you to maintain a consistent training program.
Ernst Van Aaken was a German cardiologist, who trained several Olympians and Olympic medalists. Back in the mid twentieth century he ran several studies on maintaining physical fitness and why the body does not want to train on certain days.
He discovered that the body can only maintain a certain training load for a fixed amount of time, before it needed a rest to regenerate itself. For example, when he trained Olympic runners, he found out that they could maintain long distance training sessions, by taking planned walking breaks for several minutes. He experimented with a runner named Harold Norpoth, who ran for one mile on a track, then took a walking break, and then ran for another mile.
Van Aaken discovered that Norpoth could run for several hours doing this technique. Emil Zatopek used a very similar training, and went on to win five Olympic medals (four of them gold).
Ultra-athletes also use this form of training, and utilize it when they race. Former Olympian, Jeff Galloway, coaches his runners to use this form of training as well.
Van Aaken called it the "pause that refreshes," but it also prevented athletes from overtraining and going stale, which kept them fresh physically and mentally, and allowed them to train for many months and achieve peak performance, while minimizing injuries.
So, the "Van Aaken Method" is something to consider in order to overcome fatigue and staleness, and allow you to maintain a consistent training program.
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
Hello there. Many times, the thought of exercising or moving away from the comfort of our couch seems daunting. This could be because there's something else we'd prefer doing or simply because we haven't yet formed a regular habit of physical activity. However, if we take baby steps, the rewards of working out can be immense. You may begin to notice a transformation in your body shape, an increase in your energy levels, or even a positive impact on other aspects of your life. Nutrition also plays a key role in our willingness to exercise. Consuming healthy, nutritious food provides us with the energy needed for activities like working out. On the other hand, unhealthy food choices can harm our physical health and make the idea of exercising even less appealing.
Rian Alam
Student
136
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Rian’s Answer
Hi Kain!
Working out is something that some people love to do, while others hate it. Some people don't enjoy the feeling of putting stress on their bodies while others do. Typically, evolutionarily humans try to stop working out in order to conserve energy as that is beneficial for survival. But in today's society, we don't have those same evolutionary pressures. Regardless, everyone does agree that exercise has an incredible amount of benefits some of which you mentioned.
Working out is something that some people love to do, while others hate it. Some people don't enjoy the feeling of putting stress on their bodies while others do. Typically, evolutionarily humans try to stop working out in order to conserve energy as that is beneficial for survival. But in today's society, we don't have those same evolutionary pressures. Regardless, everyone does agree that exercise has an incredible amount of benefits some of which you mentioned.
Alexandra McCoy
Site Reliability Engineer - SaaS Reliability Enablement
42
Answers
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Could it be that our daily personal lives are influenced not just by our human body, but also by what we consume, the air we breathe, and other unhealthy factors? And what about our lack of motivation or energy to exercise? This thought-provoking question can be interpreted in numerous ways!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3754
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Kain!
Energy is primarily derived from carbohydrates, which provide 4 Calories per gram. Proteins offer a slightly higher energy content at 4.25 Calories per gram, while fatty foods are the most energy-dense, giving 9 Calories per gram. Alcohol also contributes to our energy intake, providing 7 Calories per gram.
Our body has a unique relationship with energy. It's always preparing for a potential energy shortage, even when there's plenty of energy available! This is why it prefers to store energy in fatty adipose tissue, which can hold more energy per gram.
Our natural inclination to avoid unnecessary exertion is actually a survival mechanism. The body aims to conserve energy, not waste it, in anticipation of a future energy deficit. This was especially crucial in the past when our food supply was uncertain and largely dependent on nature.
However, modern conveniences like gyms, supermarkets, and refrigerators have made it easier for us to adapt to an exercise routine. We can get used to the routine and associate it with a rewarding system of healthy eating and social interactions.
The body not only depends on energy to store fat but also to build muscle from nitrogen-containing amino acids. When energy is scarce, the body naturally wants to survive. It prepares for a starvation phase by limiting activity and storing energy when there's plenty of it. The body's tendency is to build up tissue, not waste it. It's always ready for a potential energy shortage and tries to prepare for it by conserving energy, like saving pennies for a rainy day.
May God Bless You Abundantly,
James.
Energy is primarily derived from carbohydrates, which provide 4 Calories per gram. Proteins offer a slightly higher energy content at 4.25 Calories per gram, while fatty foods are the most energy-dense, giving 9 Calories per gram. Alcohol also contributes to our energy intake, providing 7 Calories per gram.
Our body has a unique relationship with energy. It's always preparing for a potential energy shortage, even when there's plenty of energy available! This is why it prefers to store energy in fatty adipose tissue, which can hold more energy per gram.
Our natural inclination to avoid unnecessary exertion is actually a survival mechanism. The body aims to conserve energy, not waste it, in anticipation of a future energy deficit. This was especially crucial in the past when our food supply was uncertain and largely dependent on nature.
However, modern conveniences like gyms, supermarkets, and refrigerators have made it easier for us to adapt to an exercise routine. We can get used to the routine and associate it with a rewarding system of healthy eating and social interactions.
The body not only depends on energy to store fat but also to build muscle from nitrogen-containing amino acids. When energy is scarce, the body naturally wants to survive. It prepares for a starvation phase by limiting activity and storing energy when there's plenty of it. The body's tendency is to build up tissue, not waste it. It's always ready for a potential energy shortage and tries to prepare for it by conserving energy, like saving pennies for a rainy day.
May God Bless You Abundantly,
James.
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