The Vergecast cover image

The Vergecast

A lazy person’s guide to getting in shape

Jan 28, 2025
Victoria Song, a fitness and tech reporter at The Verge, shares insights on achieving New Year's fitness goals without the pressure. She discusses the importance of realistic expectations and entertaining fitness apps that motivate users. Anna Valtonen, a design professor with a history at Nokia, highlights the company's innovative legacy and the significance of preserving design history. Together, they explore how embracing enjoyable fitness activities and celebrating small wins can reshape our approach to exercise.
01:31:47

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Setting realistic and attainable fitness goals can alleviate pressure and foster sustainable habits, rather than striving for drastic changes.
  • Fitness apps should enhance motivation without creating shame; choosing supportive tools is vital for a positive relationship with exercise.

Deep dives

The Challenge of New Year's Resolutions

New Year's resolutions, particularly those related to fitness, often present significant challenges for individuals. Many people set ambitious goals, such as getting in shape or losing weight, but fail to maintain their motivation over time. The podcast discusses the phenomenon of 'Quitter's Day'—the day when most people typically abandon their fitness resolutions, which occurs just after the first few weeks of January. This highlights the pressure and unrealistic expectations placed on individuals, often leading to disappointment and discouragement.

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