Why Lazybones? (Fitness and health for the motivationally challenged)

What you can expect every other week and a little bit about me

Welcome to lazybones.substack.com. Every other week I’ll be sharing psychological insights and techniques to help you (or a friend) overcome the friction preventing a more active lifestyle.

If you haven’t subscribed click the button and join for free. Also please share Lazybones with anyone who may be thinking about becoming more active but just can’t seem to get motivated.

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¹Why am I launching Lazybones on Substack? I’m hoping that it will be helpful to anyone who’s “motivationally challenged” when it comes to exercise and weight loss. Have you ever felt a little guilty because you knew you should be more physically active? You know that it’s good for your physical and mental health so you tried to start (or maintain!) an exercise routine but just couldn’t stick to it? If this sounds like you, or someone you know then Lazybones can help! I know because I’ve been in your shoes.

A little background info. It may seem strange but during my Ph.D. studies, when I did my dissertation research on obesity, I was pretty sedentary myself! I didn’t exercise; my only physical activity was walking between buildings on campus. I was a real lazybones.

Actually, I was a lazybones throughout my childhood and adolescence. My Dad wanted me to play little league baseball but I refused. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of my more talented classmates. In high school, I became the attendance monitor in gym class so I wouldn’t have to do jumping jacks, climb ropes, or any other exercises. In college, I played softball a few times but only because I was interested in one of the women on the coed team (she didn’t reciprocate my interest).

How did I become a habitual exerciser? As a psychology professor, I was part of a multidisciplinary team that developed a comprehensive weight control program at a local hospital. The hospital had a gym so, in addition to sessions with a dietitian and the groups that I led, we created an exercise program for the group members. When the program was over, I spoke to the members and was surprised to find that most of them felt the exercise component had the greatest impact. They reported that being active led them to be more mindful of their eating. Simply using their bodies - even in small doses - caused them to feel better about themselves, and helped them lose weight. I was so impressed by the results that I asked one of the gym’s trainers to show me what to do. He was patient, got me started, and I’m still at it. 

While Lazybones can’t do the activities for you, it can remove many of the frictions to exercise. Lazybones will use psychology to help you understand and overcome the barriers that keep you from being physically active.

When you sign up, Lazybones will be sent to your inbox every other Thursday. It’s free and the posts will be short. Some will have practical tips along with my experiences while others will report interesting research findings that can help you to become more physically active. 

1. https://bit.ly/3DOeOK3