What’s THE BEST Fitness Advice For The Long Haul?
By: Juha Juppi
Tags: Reddit, Fitness Tips, Habit Building, Healthy Lifestyle, Advice

I was reading a thread on Reddit where people were sharing the best advice they had recieved ‘regarding remaining healthy and fit for as long as possible?’. I really liked the thread of positivity so I want to share a few of the most popular answers, and share my thoughts on them.

Photo by Frame Harirak on Unsplash

“The bottom line is that if your exercise — whatever it is — is legitimately fun and rewarding you’ll be much more likely to stick with it, and you’ll be more willing to adapt your diet and lifestyle to get better at it. If it feels like a chore you’re setting yourself up to fail.”

I’m sure everyone has tried one sport and loved it — but tried another sport and hated it. Maybe your friend dragged you to their favourite group exercise class and you just felt like you didn’t belong? Everyone has their own thing, and that’s great! However, what isn’t great is not even trying to find what you love doing. Regardless of your opinions on the best way to workout, humans are suppose to be active. We can’t stop our bodies from atrophying overtime — so your only choice is if you’re willing to enjoy the window that you have to be active. Oh and btw, exercise & healthy foods slow down the rate in which you atrophy. At some level we have little control over what we’ll look like at 60, but we do have control over how we will feel then.

“Something is better than nothing. You/your workouts don’t have to be perfect or ‘optimal’. Be consistent. Use your body.”

This point is so relevant to working out. Every single client of mine has been taught the morning CARs routine. Each morning you take each joint through a full pain free range of motion. Nothing too crazy — nothing too intense. Part of learning to move better or maintaining how well you move is sheer practice and repetition. Depending on your previous exercise history — moving each joint in a full pain free range of motion might feel very awkward and new. Some ranges will feel stiff, sore or your body might not even know how to move in some end ranges.In cases like that — STILL DO YOUR MORNING ROUTINE.

A poor morning routine is still better than no morning routine. Don’t misinterpret the above statement though. Overtime we train in a way where their morning routine will look better, but at the beginning it doesn’t matter. In the beginning it’s a self exploration of learning how your body moves in space. So don’t get caught up in thinking it has to be perfect to do something at all.

Photo by Peter Conlan on Unsplash

“Find your why — why do you want to be healthy? Do you want to be able to play with your kids as you get older? Compete in or continue enjoying sports? Do you want to stave off the potential pain and suffering of leading a sedentary life as you age? First, find your why. Keep that why active in your mind.”

Very few people start a new routine, sport, etc. ‘just because’. There is always a why. Why are you doing these physio exercises? Maybe back pain. Why are you changing your diet? Maybe to improve your blood pressure. Why are you playing hockey? You work up a sweat while having fun with friends.

“If you can’t find time to exercise and take care of yourself, you’ll have to find time to be ill.” Free translation from what a high school acquaintance which whom I ever barely talked, posted on Facebook… but it hit me as incredibly wise and truthful.”

This one falls under the category of tough love. Newton’s third law states: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It would make sense if you chose to be active — you’ll reap the benefits. On the flip side if you chose to live a sedentary life — your quality of life will reflect that. I do want to acknowledge there are people who live with chronic pain or have medical complications that may have no choice but to be less active. For those individuals I have zero judgment towards you. You will just have to accept smaller victories. Instead of working towards a goal like a half marathon you’ll have to chose a goal that’s relative to your ability. However, for the many of us that are fortunate enough to be in good enough health — the choice is yours.

Photo by John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash

It wasn’t advice at all. I met a 92 year old man and his 87 year old wife at a friends family dinner. He was able to move around well, smart as heck, and he drove home after dinner and I wasn’t scared for him or anyone else. His wife was just as “normal”. I asked him what his secret was. He said “nothing special. Been swing dancing since I was in my 20s”. Him and his wife did it together. My partner and I started Taekwondo a couple weeks later, and we began working out at home in August. Both of us are in the best shape we’ve ever been in (both in our 30s). I refuse to be crippled when I’m older. I refuse to have health problems because I failed to do what my body needs in order to be healthy.

I don’t need to add anything to this point. I just thought it was a beautiful example of how living a healthy lifestyle can improve your quality of life long term. We can all learn something from that married couple.