Fitness and Nudism

Replies

• LA

  

  LarryH

  Nov 30, 2014

  Well I use to be big into physical fittness then I had to go through chemo treatments and that really did me in.  But I have just started getting fit again and I know it will take awhile to get back into shape but it will happen.  As far as doing it to look good on the beach or a resort, I do not care what others may think of my body, to many battle scars to care, but I do it and want to get back into shape for myself.  As far as routine goes I am just walking and doing body weight exercises right now until I get in a little better shape then I will increase the intesistive later by adding resistance training and jogging/running.

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• JO

  

  Joey

  Nov 30, 2014

  IMHO one of the greatest assets of nudism is body acceptance. In a true nudist environment we should be able to see that people come in all shapes and sizes. In doing so we should be comfortable with the bodies we have without feeling we need to measure up to anyone else's expectations.
  
  
  That said, I do feel that there are two extremes that (mis)represent the nudist community: the ultra-fit and the obese.
  
  While I don't see anything wrong with keeping in shape, there is an emotionally unhealthy standard of beauty that too many people believe that they and others have to measure up to. Whether someone spends hours in the gym or thousands on cosmetic surgery to achieve and maintain such physiques, they're not truly accepting of themselves or others who don't meet the high standards.
  
  On the opposite end of the spectrum I believe are those who (ab)use nudism's body acceptance principles to rationalize having unhealthy weight and lifestyle choices. While there's nothing wrong with a few extra pounds, there are those in the nudist community (particularly in America) both textile and nudist who are obese to an unhealthy extreme.
  
  
  Perhaps it's just perception, but these two ends of the spectrum appear to dominate the nudist community and create emotionally and physically unhealthy standards. We should strive to represent and be the healthy aspects of the nudist lifestyle.

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• ST

  

  Steve

  Nov 30, 2014

  I don't work on how my body looks because of doing without clothes - but I'm certainly more body-conscious when I'm naked, and I notice that my posture improves, to the extent that going nude (or shirtless, for that matter) helps me with my back problems.
  
  

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• OZ

  

  OzblokeOriginal Poster

  Nov 30, 2014

  [quote]Well I use to be big into physical fittness then I had to go through chemo treatments and that really did me in.  But I have just started getting fit again and I know it will take awhile to get back into shape but it will happen.  As far as doing it to look good on the beach or a resort, I do not care what others may think of my body, to many battle scars to care, but I do it and want to get back into shape for myself.  As far as routine goes I am just walking and doing body weight exercises right now until I get in a little better shape then I will increase the intesistive later by adding resistance training and jogging/running.[/quote]
  All the best on your journey back to full fitness Larry

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• LA

  

  LarryH

  Dec 6, 2014

  Thanks ozbloke

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• AL

  

  Al

  Dec 20, 2014

  This is an interesting thread to me personally as well as professionally. I no longer work on a summer bod like I did when I was younger and if I want to go naked where it's allowed (and sometimes I am the only one who does), I do it because I like to be free of clothes.  I'm no longer part of a naked fashion show (yes, guys, I know I never really was, but testosterone does bring out the peacock in us).
  But I do not mean that I don't value fitness.  I am a health care professional working specifically to help people with lifestyle that will improve their health.  A lot of my patients work hard with food and activity plans and get down from 275 to 240# and they ARE the success story.  Genes, prenatal and early life exposures, stresses, microbiome, culture, priorities. etc all play a role and if I see a big naked person at the beach or naked yoga my attitude is "great, somebody else enjoying nakedness."  A kindred spirit in that regard, and they mayhave a most interesting story to tell.
  
  

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• JO

  

  Jonathan

  Dec 31, 2014

  I'm not the most fit person around, but I have been working on it quite a bit lately...and its starting to pay off. ^^
  

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• RD

  

  rdrunning

  Dec 31, 2014

  I agree that nudism is not about how you look. I workout almost daily, not because I want to look good nude when I'm on the beach. That thought never enters my mind. I workout because I feel better when I do it. It also keep the weight off to a degree, which makes me feel better. From one who likes to eat and drink, working out helps to keep the effects of those other activities in check.

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• FL

  

  floridaslim

  Dec 31, 2014

  I garden a lot which is exercise plus I exercise and watch my diet as part of a healthy lifestyle as well as a nudist lifestyle. Being healthy is a big part of my lifestyle and works for me.
  

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• OC

  

  ocmick

  Jan 1, 2015

  It is more of a health issue for me really. I can't stop the aging process but I can sure slow it down by staying in shape and eating right. Physical appearance is a byproduct of that.

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• ME

  Member

  Jan 9, 2015

  I think 30 minutes of cardiovascular fitness every day is important.  It does not have to be a run, a walk which gets your heart rate up or a swim or bike ride will suffice.
  

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• FR

  Freecospirit

  Jan 17, 2015

  As a general principle though naturism/nudism is accepting of all shapes and sizes a lot of like to look our best both clothed and naked.  You look better toned and fit so nudism can encourage some of us to take better care of our bodies.

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• AS

  

  Ask

  Jan 26, 2015

  I am never going to win any fitness contests, but i do try to get to the gym on a somewhat regular schedule. I feel so much better after a few weeks of workouts, so that is reward enough in it self. It does get harder to keep those pounds off as I get older though. I may have to cut back on the beer. (!!)

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• GL

  

  globalnudeboy

  Feb 28, 2015

  [quote]I think Nudism is about body acceptance. You don't have to be muscular or stereotypically buff to be a naturist or nudist. However, I would advise you to be healthy in every way possible.[/quote]I fully endorse the view expressed by my friend Freedom2Be. Accepting and being comfortable with who you are is the most important. Nothing wrong with trying to improve the physique - but we should not push everyone down that path. It should not be a prerequisite for acceptance by others.

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• DE

  

  DesertRat

  Feb 28, 2015

  Nudism should not enter into the equation of attaining a certain level of physical fitness . Although few of us really aggressively act upon it, we all know that a high degree of physical fitness is most desirable. This is true for both nudists and textiles alike. Most people desire to make a good appearance but with nudists the person is more important than the looks. Pity the poor textile who must adorn themselves with expensive trappings in order to obtain a certain "look". I am always amused to read of certain individuals who decide to adopt a workout plan but must first spend hundreds of dollars on the proper workout outfits. I believe that their priorities are in the wrong order.

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• MA

  

  ManOfWicklow

  Feb 28, 2015

  As long as one is fit enough to hold a beer in one hand and a cigar in the other.

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• DA

  

  David

  Feb 28, 2015

  [quote]As long as one is fit enough to hold a beer in one hand and a cigar in the other.[/quote]Amen!
  

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• CH

  

  Christopher

  Mar 1, 2015

  I find it both interesting, and not at all surprising, that none of those posting have mentioned the historical perspective of nudism. Organized nudism began to develop early in earnest in  the last century in Germany (the FKK movement) and here in the US with the advent of "Sun Clubs". PHYSICAL FITTNESS was one of the tenants of organized nudism and physical activity was what one engaged in while visiting a FKK/Sun Club!
  Nobody was supposed to be judged upon their looks, their clothes, or any other superficial value. However, that is 180 degrees different from those overfed, oversized, and underexercised current day nudists who spout the mantra of "nudism accepts everyone despite their appearance"
  I too support that nudism is as inclusive as possible. I support that everyone is welcome regardless of their looks. (1) I am merely pointing out the historical perspective of the movement; and (2) suggesting that the original nudists would prefer to exercise, and get fresh air instead of sitting around nude online.
  

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• SY

  

  Sycamore

  Mar 1, 2015

  [quote]Personally, I am a competitive cyclist and as such do excercise frequently. It is not so much about achieving a certain look as it is about being able to hold my own in a race. That being said, even when I am not racing, a level of fitness makes riding my mountain bike a lot more fun since I am able to do more when I am fit. If the by product is a slim or muscular body, that is great. The gist of this thread seems to be that it is "bad" to fall into that end of the spectrum which I feel is unfair. Body acceptance is what it is about and nobody should hold being in shape against you![/quote]
  Agreed!  I  think it's important to try to keep fit, but I really think it's about keeping fit, having fun, challenging yourself, getting your blood pumping - not just to look a certain way or because you "should" go to the gym.  And I agree with the previous poster that beingactiveoutdoors is a part of the foundations of naturism.  It's also the part I enjoy most, so of course I'd advocate for it.
  

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