Your Computer Thinks You're Lazy

from the get-off-the-couch dept

Fri, Dec 7th 2007 6:22pm — Dennis Yang

Anyone that watches late night television is constantly reminded of America's growing beltline. To combat our obesity epidemic, infomercials abound with the latest exercise gizmos that promise to make us all fitter. But, most of these gadgets end up gathering dust in the corner since they don't do anything to motivate us to actually use them. So, need help getting off that couch? Have your computer call you. Stanford researchers have found that an automated computer message reminding people to get out and exercise is nearly as effective as a human counselor. People who were called by the computer exercised an average of 157 minutes per week, as compared to 118 minutes for the people who weren't called. Not bad -- if only someone could figure out how to actually get the computer to do the exercising, that would truly be the killer app.

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Filed Under: exercise, fitness

16 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 7 Dec 2007 @ 6:52pm

Might work for some, but the first thing i'd do is click disable.
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- Anonymous Coward, 7 Dec 2007 @ 9:09pm
  
  Re:
  nothing can be done and shouldn't be done to get you to be healthy if you don't want to be.
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anon, 7 Dec 2007 @ 7:01pm

computer exercising app
Hook your brain up to a computer, and start playing WoW, Tibia, Quake, Doom, or really any other game. That'll be your exercise.

Well, I never said you'd lose weight.

Yes, dumb, I know...shutup.
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Anonymous Coward, 7 Dec 2007 @ 7:12pm

I just traded my desktop in for a younger, slimmer laptop. That's what you get for calling me lazy, you old box!
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HAL9000, 7 Dec 2007 @ 7:55pm

Exercise
Dave: Slow down the treadmill HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
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- Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2007 @ 7:42pm
  
  Re: Exercise
  lol
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dualboot, 7 Dec 2007 @ 8:47pm

lol!
I don't think it's for the people who disable it... I think it's for those who lose track of time, and forget to exercise. I have a gadget in my google desktop (laundry timer)which is the only reason I ever remember to switch my laundry to the dryer... maybe it's for people like me. Often I get to Monday and realize that I didn't exercise all week, and vow to exercise 3 times the next week... then it's next Monday and I realize that I forgot to exercise all week again... maybe the kick in the *** would make me remember. I'll have to see if they make a gadget for that.
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zcat, 7 Dec 2007 @ 9:12pm

that reminds me
I still need to get a couple of dance mats to use with stepmania...
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Evenrudek, 8 Dec 2007 @ 5:23am

My computer thinks I'm lazy....
dualboot....If you're that distractible, If I put laundry in front of you would you fold it? I'll bet if I gave you a bag of chips you wouldn't even look at the brand. You sure sound like family to me!
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Celt, 8 Dec 2007 @ 7:53pm

Simple enough...
Google Calendar has an option to set reminders that are sent by SMS. Works great for me for what I have set up.
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an idiot, 8 Dec 2007 @ 10:41pm

The opportunity's there
If you really put your mind to it, you could just hook your computer up to some tasers and just have it randomly taze you in controlled intervals:D jk, exercise shouldn't be something you dread doing go to the gym and find a friend to work out with ya so you won't have to worry about any power surges fo'shizle people.
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Max Powers, 9 Dec 2007 @ 1:04am

Self Motivation
I read about a lady that bought a 20 pound glob of fake fat from a medical supply company and dangled it from the ceiling in front of the fridge which helped her lose weight.

A computer telling me to go exercise? It would be no different than my alarm clock going off for me. You either have the desire to do something or you don't.
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Kerry, 9 Dec 2007 @ 10:48am

Computers forcing you to exercise
Instead of plugging your computer into the way outlet. Plug it into your exercise bike to generate the power to operate your laptop, desktop, or other computer. Just watch-out for those print jobs as the printers are very power hungry... You will be able to work-off that big mac lunch...
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Gary, 9 Dec 2007 @ 4:23pm

Computers forcing you to exercise
Maybe if they have Windows Vista and don't register it. The lock down features I'm sure would get them off their butts. Maybe Microsoft should reconsider getting rid of that feature with the release of SP1 for Vista. As a Computer Tech I spend alot of time in front of the computer and have never had a problem with my weight. I'm 5'11" and 140lbs. People just lay off the junk food and eat in accordance with your daily actvity. The more you eat the more active you should be and vice versa. If you feel hunger drink some water to fill your self up. Plain and simple. I spend on average 12 hours a day in front of a pc.
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Calloused Ears, 9 Dec 2007 @ 9:24pm

That's nothing new.
So does my wife.
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less food, 10 Dec 2007 @ 1:31am

I should
I exercise about 3 hours a week - you'd be amazed the amount of food I have to eat to make up for it =8~]
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