A few more exercise-related thoughts:

[xiphias]

1. It is possible to do strength training at a speed and intensity that it counts as cardio, too.
2. This is MUCH more fun than doing normal cardio, which is boring.
3. It is also much more difficult and uncomfortable than regular cardio.
4. It's uncomfortable, but not painful, in the "oh, I'm getting healthier" way, not in the "oh, I'm breaking myself" way. That's how you know it's working.
5. It's NOT as much fun as just normal strength training, but still, all in all, the total fun is more. Also, since it's simultaneous strength and cardio, you save time. More difficult, more uncomfortable, faster, and more fun.

There is a fair bit of evidence out there that "high intensity interval training" -- HIIT -- is more effective at doing all the things you want cardio to do than lower-intensity ongoing cardio. Half an hour of intense strength training interspersed with brief breaks is better for you than an hour of running on a treadmill at a constant rate, unless, of course, you're actually TRAINING for distance running. Running for an extended period of time will absolutely make you better at running for an extended period of time, and will have lots of other benefits. And if you like running, it's a fine thing to do, especially if you're doing it in the real world where there are hills and things like that, rather than on a track or treadmill. Running is good -- unless you're as heavy as I am and running means "slamming piledrivers into your joints repeatedly", in which case biking and swimming are better choices...

But in terms of best results in least time, your best bet is mixing up a bunch of upper-body, lower-body, and core exercises, each at the highest intensity you can manage without actual PAIN, but WITH a lot of discomfort, with brief breaks in between.

Another thought: there is an xkcd comic which points out that exercise is a lot more rewarding if you think of it as grinding to level up stats.

I don't disagree, but I think that the "use it or lose it" skill degradation mechanic is among the dumber mechanics in the system. I mean, I get the advantage of it -- it forces different characters to actually create distinctions rather than all putting, like, one point into everything and all becoming the same -- but it just makes the whole thing less fun.

Comments

[redbird]

Yes, cardio is boring. Which doesn't mean I shouldn't be doing it, or that walking around wonderfully hilly Bellevue and Seattle is sufficient. (It could be, but I would have to be doing it more consistently.)

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

I log exercise on Fitocracy.com now (as well as still loggin rowing / erging meters on Concept 2) which is designed around hat whole concept. Each workout gets points, and then you get to level up to progressively harder levels, getting props from other users along the way. They have challenges and such too. Don't know if it would be good for you or not, but take a look.

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

I prefer to be thoroughly distraced while doing cardio exercise. Currently I get distracted by the other person trying to hit me, but in the past I've been successfully distracted by trying to look cool in time to music or by chasing the little ball round the enclosed box more effectively than the other person in the box.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Now, the "mutual attempting to hit and not be hit" thing sounds like fun. My grandfather used to do the "stand in an enclosed court with a rubber ball and a paddle and another person with a paddle," but, at least when he played against my father, he didn't get any cardio out of it. He just stood in one place and made Dad do all the running. And won handily.

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

Well, someone was getting cardio, anyway. And yeah, I've had the same experience with my father. They get sneaky when they get a bit older.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

Can you please either use a cut or not say "you" as if this applied to and was possible for everyone?

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Good point.

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

When I first heard of Crossfit workouts, I pooh-poohed them as a gimmick workout promising great results in less time. But then I tried one at home (I think it was a mix of burpees, pushups, and situps) and I was gasping just halfway through and the whole thing was done in less than 15 minutes.