I can imagine people having fun getting lost in the flow of playing a competitive sport. I’ve also heard some people experience a post-workout high. But does anyone actually feel pleasure in the moment while lifting weights, jogging, cycling, etc?
If so… what does it feel like? Is there anything the rest of us can do to cultivate such a mindset?
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I am not a fan of other workouts but I LOVE cycling. Wind in my face, sightseeing, ability to push harder or just cruise to catch my breath makes it really enjoyable IMO.
Same. At first it sucked, but nowadays, I really enjoy just being on my bike. I’m not competitive at all, if I’m slow, I’m slow.
Cycling can also be a great social activity. You can have a nice chatty ride to a coffee shop or something a bit more competitive, depending on your preference. And it’s easy to find a group at your level, no matter your fitness.
Great solo activity too for the introverts. Pair of headphones and we’re off to the races. It’s an extremely adaptable sport.
I was going to say the same thing. With cycling, you get an immediate reward for your spent effort because riding fast just feels really fun. So I find myself wanting to put as much energy in as possible.
I’m the same with running. Not a fan of anything else after the years.
No. Never. I think I’m very different because I am never motivated, nor feel good during/after exercise. No, my testosterone is fine.
I’m in my mid 30’s and I spent A LONG time working out, getting as fit as I could.
I still hated my body when I looked in the mirror, and I hated every second of the workout. “Post workout” I was so proud, but like, that’s equivalent to drinking so you could appreciate being sober.
I stopped a while ago and started just trying to eat healthy and focus on other sources of happiness. I’m much happier since!
My body is the kind that absolutely won’t lose weight unless I do some cardio. Unfortunately, the gym is a while away, and work isn’t very forgiving either. If I worked hard on a day, I’ll come back home with a headache, and if I run with that my head will split open.
Eating healthy doesn’t seem to have an effect on my body. Even if I cut back to 1500 calories, my body fat is so stubborn that I couldn’t lose even a single kilogram in 2 months (didn’t exercise) of a very strict diet (not to mention I would be hungry sometimes).
I wonder if I could have a treadmill at home, and could just have a brisk walk every night I don’t feel like it (and run without going to the gym), I would actually do more cardio and maybe loss weight faster. But I can’t afford it.
My body looks like the underside of a frog, so I understand what you’re saying.
I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.
Dean Martin
RIP to a proper gentleman.
Same. I even went pretty regularly for months and tried all the different workouts and while I was in better shape, none of it was enjoyable in any way.
There is definitely a huge difference after 6 months of focusing on one thing. I’ve done hot yoga off and on over about 12 years and I’d say it took 6 months of going consistently before I felt like my body adjusted and it was more enjoyable. After 2 years I didn’t feel like I was going to die and it actually became very enjoyable.
I’ve fallen off recently because it’s easier to sit around and initially it does suck because you need to readjust. But I when I had gone 2-3x in a week, man I felt like a god. I started going in my 20s, I was high af all the time and knew I needed some exercise or I was gonna die.
I think it takes a certain person to love lifting weights of all things. But luckily there are lots of things out there
Two years for it to become enjoyable? What is it, a JRPG?
After 2 years I couldn’t wait to get back in there each week. I felt great, looked healthy, my skin cleared up, I wasn’t depressed, was in the best shape of my life at the time. Playing video games (and later doing drugs) for 15 years didn’t exactly pay off in those areas.
I look at it like this: Am I going to be alive in 2 years? Ok, then taking on a 2 year project is worth it. Months fly by in the blink of an eye these days, 2 years will have gone by before you notice.
I’m in my mid 30’s and I spent A LONG time working out, getting as fit as I could.
I still hated my body when I looked in the mirror, and I hated every second of the workout. “Post workout” I was so proud, but like, that’s equivalent to drinking so you could appreciate being sober.
I stopped a while ago and started just trying to eat healthy and focus on other sources of happiness. I’m much happier since!
Working out is about discipline, not pleasure imo. I’m sure there are some folks who really enjoy working out, but for most of the general public, it’s about sticking to a routine and seeing yourself improve, regardless of how it makes you feel
I’ve been lifting about a year, and for me there is a big satisfaction in improvement, especially when I can break through a plateau that I’ve been stuck on.
There are also some lifts that a really enjoy while I’m doing them, whereas others feel more like a chore.
It depends on the exercise for me. Weights/ strength training I struggle to enjoy but going for a run is my jam. It can get pretty rough on the longer runs but every time when I finish and catch my breath I generally feel a lot happier about myself and find dealing with life a lot easier.
Yes, it lets me take my mind away from things for abit. Helps to keep me in shape as well
I enjoy being in a roll with a good gym schedule, seeing the progress, and the sense of having put the work in.
Otherwise it really depends on the exercise for me : I dislike those that make it hard to breathe. But leg presses, and bicep curls alfeel empowering.
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Yes, I love running. I also go hiking and do body weight exercises.
To answer your question, the only way to cultivate the habit is to start something and sticking to some plan. I know it’s easy so say but it’s the only thing that works.
I do follow some runners on Instagram and YouTube for motivation.
I started working out at a park nearby on the mornings. I kinda hate it on the moment, but I reward myself for the last 15 minutes or so, with some creativity.
Freestyle dance (??!), kicking around, doing the cartwheel, random moves. All the while listening to old school hip hop and pretending I’m a hot shot, haha.
Those last minutes are amazing.For me its like playing Diablo. Only that im leveling my own character instead of an imaginary character (but love Diablo too!)
I feel like this is an understanding analogy, and i hate Diablo and mindless grind as much as working out
Started hitting the gym for about 4 months now, what has helped me a lot is getting a personal trainer, he helps me push past the last 5%, and it gives me someone to talk to between reps. And while I don’t necessarily get pleasure in the moment while lifting weights, I do get it afterwards, when feeling my muscles burn. And it does wonders for my energy levels and my general mood.
I also started running a month ago, I promised someone I will participate in a 10k in October with them. This is definitely more on the “existence is pain” side, but while doing it I try to focus more on my form and breathing, and less on how it makes me feel.
I personally don’t unless it’s an interactive activity. Examples are rock climbing, swimming, badminton and tennis. Otherwise, workouts feel boring.
I walk, a lot. Everywhere. Always have done.
It keeps me nice and slim, and is my way of dealing with stress and any thoughts I may have swishing around in my head. I live in an area that allows me to walk anywhere I want (ie. not America) and I don’t need a car at all, luckily.
And I do push it a bit. I walked 36km which is around 21 miles on Sunday, and 32km on Saturday. My legs were starting to hurt like hell nearing the end of it but I always keep going. It feels good to push past what I thought was my limit and keep going. I don’t think there’s any real conscious thought behind it, it’s just how I am. And as I’m in the office today, I’ll be walking there and back too (5 miles each way), no bother at all.
Running and weight lifting though? Not my thing. Too much rushing around for the former and not enough moving around for the latter!
Edit: realised my conversion to miles is off. It’s early. Turns out according to Google maps I walked 21 miles Sunday…! Took just under 5 hours. And I did get a bit sunburnt, but otherwise fine as usual
Yeah sometimes. I know that even if I did nothing in a day, if I go work out I feel like I did something.
It also feels good to get a personal record on a machine or at an exercise.
It also feels great to get a good pump in.
After a workout you feel satisfied and tired and it’s great!
Also seeing your strength and stamina go up in everyday tasks is satisfying.
My advice is start slow. Even if it’s a light day and you’re kind of miserable, you still feel good about getting it done. Try to convince yourself to go for a week, and go easy, very easy. Like just get any amount of exercise done. It’ll become easier and easier to go to the gym and to do exercises. And you’ll find that you’ll start to like some of them.
You might like how it stretches a muscle or tendon that is always a little tight. Back extensions feel AMAZING
You might like how strong certain exercises feel
You might like how the extra muscle alleviates pains you’ve had in the past
You might like how much definition a certain exercise gives you.
You might even just become proud of how good you can do an exercise. I used to have that. “Yeah I’m not bad at working out, but crunches? I’ll beat anyone”
it’s fun sometimes to bring a friend along and compete a little as well. You can also motivate each other to keep going.
I used to. Lifting weights helped me in many aspects of my life. Particularly in regards to making goals and seeing them through. It was difficult to get into but once I started seeing results (pretty quickly) the gym became my second home for years. And then my daughter got sick and I got depressed and now it’s been 5 years and god I miss it but just haven’t been able to get back
You can do it!
