My activity goal is to walk about an hour a day on the treadmill — 30 minutes in the morning and 30 more in the evening. While walking, I watch some series on PrimeTV so I think about something other than boring movement… currently I’m about to finish “Bosch: The Legacy.”
I’ve watched Prime Video selections while walking for years now and I’ve noticed they’re sharing more and more ads. Just like people around here are seeing more and more smoke from our boiler as a sign of outside temperatures dropping, the huge increase of Prime Video ads is obviously a sign of something.
It’s currently the 5 minute: 2 minute 47 second rule.
I walk for 5 minutes and then get ads for 2 minutes and 47 seconds. Another 5 minutes and the ad time is a bit shorter. But after the next 5 minutes, it’s back to 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
I’m guessing it’s because they now offer an ad-free plan for an additional $2.99/month.
I held out until today and then grudgingly caved. I waste more than $3.00/m on stupider stuff and I’ve memorized every advertisement they’ve thrown at me. For the record, I haven’t purchased a single thing from any ad.
Now my brain is on a rampant conspiracy theory loop.
More ads so we pay not to see them. Next, my Oura ring started losing charge life about the same exact time they came out with a new model. Coincidence? Maybe… but my Apple Watch did basically the same thing before I gave in a bought a new one.
What’s NOT a conspiracy is that the older you get the more important exercise is to your body. You can’t convince me otherwise. I took several weeks away from my trusty treadmill to instead sit in my computer chair and work. The result is that I feel like I aged 10 years in that length of time. My hips hurt, my knees hurt, and my back ESPECIALLY isn’t in great shape again.
I’m back to my routine — and today I won’t have Prime Video serving me ads constantly.
Walking is an exercise anyone can do no matter how old you are. While it’s hard to get motivated to start a routine of daily exercise, it does get easier once it’s habit. In just over a week of daily walking and stretching, I’m sleeping better (because my stiff, old joints aren’t hurting all night), and even my heart rate is getting back to normal.
Today is a great day to start a new exercise routine… no matter how old — or young — you are.
Now you know: Studies show that exercise consistency matters more than intensity for health benefits.