023 — When Does Exercise Become Unhealthy? (And Other Voicemails)
Mar 21, 2024
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Discover when exercise turns unhealthy, the downsides of gamifying workouts, and tips for fitness as you age. Listen to voicemails on exercise habits and get insights on intrinsic motivation vs extrinsic rewards.
Recognizing signs of addictive exercise habits is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with physical activity.
Transitioning from external rewards to intrinsic motivation promotes a sustainable and fulfilling approach to fitness.
Deep dives
Voicemail Incentive Success and Appreciation
The $20 incentive for calling the voicemail led to a significant increase in voicemails received, generating excitement and engagement from listeners. The hosts expressed gratitude for the positive response and appreciated the diverse range of voicemails from listeners nationwide, highlighting the impact of audience interaction on the podcast.
Balancing Exercise and Addiction
The discussion revolved around the potential for exercise to become an unhealthy addiction, contrasting the fine line between commitment and addiction. Drawing from examples in running and personal experiences, the hosts debated the signs of when exercise habits transition into addictive behaviors, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's motivations for physical activities.
Gamification of Exercise and Psychological Trade-Offs
Exploring the concept of gamifying exercise as a motivational tool, the hosts examined its psychological implications. They discussed how relying solely on streaks or external rewards may shift focus away from intrinsic reasons for exercising, suggesting a transition from gamification to a more personal and meaningful approach to physical activities.
Myths and Realities of Aging in Exercise
Delving into the common misconceptions and advice related to exercise for individuals over 40, the hosts highlighted the importance of gradual progression and recovery with age. They emphasized the need to adapt training routines based on individual training ages and experiences, debunking age-related limitations and encouraging consistent movement and joy in physical pursuits across all ages.
We’ve got voicemail(s)! On the last roundtable, we opened up our phone lines a you all answered the call with some great questions. So today’s episode is dedicated to answering three of the issues raised: how to know when a relationship to exercise becomes unhealthy; (2) the psychological downsides to gamifying your movement practice, and how to know when to use intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation; (3) how to think about exercising and fitness as you age. Enjoy—and thanks for the great questions.
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