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Comment by serpix | Hacker News Reader

I feel very conflicted when seeing young people who are out of shape. They have the best possible potential for increasing fitness due to fast recovery. An investment that pays massive dividends in a very very short time. A fit body pays back on so many levels it is a paradox why would anyone not be fit.

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The world has changed. The built environment has changed. I look at unfit young people and part of what I feel is that they are victims of a broken world getting blamed for what their elders did to them.

Paradox? Declining to experience torture several times a week in perpetuity is not a paradox. I have never ran a mile, not when I was young or today; not all of us have the genes that release happy chemicals from physical exertion.

Yes, I think people sometimes underestimate how much people’s experiences differ. I find weight lifting boring but enjoy running; many people report the opposite and others hate both.

So while the long-term benefits of exercise are well-established, it’s up to the individual whether the benefits outweigh the cost for them personally. And in the context of disability, some of those benefits might not apply or may be counteracted by the exercise exacerbating a chronic condition.

The benefits of exercise are great enough that I would encourage people to try to find an activity they like and accommodates any disabilities. Unfortunately, this isn’t feasible for everyone.

Edit: fixed an incorrect word.

I think that would just be a matter of practice. Many things are uncomfortable/difficult in the beginning, but if you do them enough then they can become rewarding.

What's the threshold of time until it becomes rewarding? I've kept a routine for 5 months, is that not enough?

Well what's your reason for running? To lose weight? To be healthier? To sleep better? Can you run longer distances? Can you run faster times? Can you compete in races?

I mean if you have run for 5 months and haven't progressed towards any of your goals ... then it seems like your routine needs to be improved. Or maybe you want a different activity that would help you reach your goals.

For most people, if you don't enjoy running just to run, the reward would be the progress towards your goals.

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