lifestyle and exercise frequency

[jessica]

so pretty much i work on farms and end up doing a ridiculous amount of physical labor, lifting and carrying at least 20 and up to 70 pound random objects, bins, bags, pushing around full wheel barrows, shoveling, and basically constant movement and walking up and down rows and acres anywhere from 8-11 hours a day during most of the season.......then usually a bit of household chores and cleaning/sorting....then i try to go on hikes and bike rides if i have a day off or an easier day with only about 4 hours physical labor....so my question is, how often is it okay for me to just sit on my ass like a worn out pile of shit?  today i didnt do anything and honestly worry that my muscles will wither away, how quick do muscles and metabolism change?  i think i am extra concerned because i am only 28 but physically went through menopause(although i still pray and believe its reverseable) about 5 years ago(due to a hard life since birth of mental, physical, emotional stress, all forms of abuse, by myself, others, drugs, alcohol, being a veggie during my formative years, etc.........) so while the emotional stuff is cured, i know my lack of hormones puts me at a high risk for degeneration since basically my primal lifeforce is gone and there aint no reason for me to be here ifn i cant make babies so my body sees no reason to preserve my health! ack! so how much do i have to worry if i dont want to exercise for a week?  i just finished 11 months of farming and really want to rest and not worry about it, maybe i should just do that.....

[KD]

jess, if you are merely talking atrophy of muscles I can tell you that I do maybe 15-25 minute workouts 3-4 days a week. I stand around or sit at work and I ride my bike for transportation. Even that is not so often these days. Some other carnal stuff perhaps. Sitting in a conventional chair (occasionally I use a ball or stand) inactive most of the other time. Some days I don't workout, walk, or move anywhere. Don't seem to have any problems.

Certainly with healing I would think alot of sedentary time is good. I like to spend most of my time (when not working my fingers on forums of course) engaged in some kind of quasi-meditative type activity (being creative) or enjoying the company of other people. Other than being pleasurable it helps make sure my mind  is enaged but at ease and my energy and mind also able to be geared elsewhere.

People laying on their ass engaged in destructive activities - as you know - don't seem to get the same health bonuses.

if you lay on your ass more and your muscles do waste away maybe we can troubleshoot it then.

[jessica]

yes pleasurable activities! friends! rejuvenative and meditative activities, yeah i need to put my energy into those, i always forget those are valid and perhaps even productive, thank you for the words of advice...

[LePatron7]

Hey Jess. I hope everything's good

I like to exercise intensely playing basketball for an hour or two when my legs aren't sore from the previous bout.

I also like spinning.

Unlike you, who spends countless hours farming, which is pretty strenuous physically. My job mainly consists of walking and standing in place. So I exercise regularly to make up for it.

I base my exercise on how I feel, and what I've done for the day. If I haven't done anything, and I feel like I'm dragging. I know it's time for some basketball.

The more I exercise, the more used to it I get. I remember in middle school playing daily and never being tired.

Any way. Don't worry to much about your muscles wasting away. I can't imagine that happening to anyone who spends so much time doing physical labor.

Deffinitely consider KD's advice. There's nothing like spending time with people. To much alone time for me always gets my mind drifting places it really doesn't need to go.

[CarnivorousApe]

I found that paleo mindset is useful not only for diet but also for selecting activities.

I took some salsa classes. Dancing is the most enjoyable physical activity I found so far. (mating ritual)
Another great activity is sport games. (hunting or war)

Farm labour as well as working out in the gym are neolithic abominations, lead to bad results in the long term and bore me to tears.