(This is cross-posted at BlogHer.)
For some people, staying fit qualifies as a fun hobby. They choose to do things they enjoy, like running, biking, swimming, or rock climbing (or all of those things, and more). Other people know that they should move, so they choose activities that are convenient and effective — even if they don’t particularly like to do them. But what makes someone go from just liking (or putting up with) exercise to saying, “I LOVE to work out?”
Personally, I find it hard to imagine that someone can have a good time on an indoor cardio machine, like a treadmill or elliptical. Even when I used an elliptical machine on a regular basis, I would never have said that I was enjoying myself. Sure, you can tell me that you don’t mind it — that you’re easily distracted by the television or music and it makes the time goes by “so quickly” — but a good time? When I think of pumping endlessly away on an indoor machine versus getting up early to bike outside in the crisp morning air…it just doesn’t seem like a fair comparison.
To be fair, it’s impossible to enjoy physical activity all the time, even if we’re doing something we normally love. While I prefer to be outside because it helps the time go by faster, I certainly don’t like it every time. Of course the best situation is being outside when the weather is beautiful and I have a lot of energy — but that doesn’t happen nearly often enough. I went for a walk a few nights ago even though I didn’t really want to; the air was a little humid, and my legs were sore because of the lower-body workout I’d done the previous day.
I was glad when I got home, and no, I didn’t particularly enjoy my walk. Still, I was glad that I’d gone out, especially since I could relax on the couch afterward without feeling quite as slug-like. But did I go out for a walk because I wanted to? No. Did I go because I felt like I had to? “Had to” is a strong term, but I knew it had been a few days and that I needed it. So I guess I went for a walk because I felt like I should.
Now, working out with weights, I actually don’t mind that so much. I like the feeling of walking out of the gym, barely able to lift my arm to unlock the car door because I’ve exhausted my upper body. But do I love weights so much that would I do it even if I knew I wouldn’t see any results from it? Of course not.
Yes, I definitely work out because I feel like I should. No, I don’t always love it. But I do like the results — which is why most people spend time working out, I suppose. Exercise doesn’t just improve your physical appearance, it makes you stronger, increases your endurance, and helps maintain a positive mood. Given all those advantages, it’s definitely worth it to me.
Do you love to work out, or do you do it because you feel like you should?
Related Reading:
Roni’s Weigh: Roni says she loves working out, but it was a gradual process to get to this point.
I convinced myself for so long that I was not athletic. That I didn’t like the gym or working out. I made fun of gym rats, calling people who exercised on vacation insane. I really thought I just wasn’t built for exercise. Then S.L.O.W.L.Y. things started to change. [...]
Now…I’m embracing my new hobby. And that’s really what it is, a hobby. I enjoy it. It’s an outlet. It can be social yet solitary. I can measure my success by weight lifted, miles ran, time, even muscle tone. Not to mention it has health benefits and makes me feel fantastic!
Cindy’s World: Cindy loves working out “so much that sometimes I wonder why I didn’t choose a career as an athlete of some sort rather than as an artist.” She was encouraged by a recent article in the LA Times about “the original owner of Bally Total Fitness who is 76 and still in GREAT shape and kicking butt in all kinds of athletic endeavours.”
Phillygrrl used to work out, “but that was back when I worked at a gym and it was free.”
I hate hate hate working out. In general. I have no will-power, never have. I used to work out, but that was back when I worked at a gym and it was free. Now that I’m actually paying for a membership, I rarely use it. What’s it been, seven months already? That was a waste of $150. Shoot. I would’ve been better off investing in yoga gear so I could at least fool people into thinking I work out. (A yoga mat can also double as a floor rug, people.)
That’s Fit: Top 5 Reasons to Always Be Fit
12 Comments
I think for em there is a mix of both, although I think I am also a bit of an adrenaline junkie and sort of hooked in *some* types of exercise. I love riding my bike, although there are some days I really do not want to and I seriously hate the trainer. Also, if I don’t ride in a few days my mood is just foul and I am a completely different person after the ride. Love the mtn bike too, but that is just pure adrenaline rush. Years ago, my drug of choice were rock climbing and martial arts. Yet, I don’t have patience for the gym, I have to force myself to go when there are no other -mostly outdoor- alternatives…
I don’t love it. I never will….but I keep going.
Great post, and I agree with many things that you said. I *like* cardio machines, but couldn’t use the word love. I like how I feel when I’m done. ;) I also really enjoy weight training (much more than cardio), but am not sure I would do it without getting benefits from it, either. I will admit though, that I’ve really been getting into treadmill video workouts – making me honestly say that I DO enjoy treadmill now, and even look forward to using the video workouts. :)
Personally, the times in my life when I would have said “I LOVE working out” it wasn’t because I loved the activities involved in “working out.” It was more the feeling I got from working hard or the excuse it gave me to avoid even less fun activities (like law school) or whatever.
I definitely don’t love the activities generally involved in “working out” – I hate lifting weights, cardio machines are boring, etc. But most people have SOME active activity (for lack of a better term) they enjoy doing, right? I mean, I love going out dancing and that’s “exercise”! Some of the things I’d do for fun even resemble a “workout” — walking, bike riding, etc.
I WOULD take group exercise classes for fun except that I’m super picky. I love a good step class for instance, but I hate most step instructors.
I’m one of those crazy people that truly loves working out about 90% of the time. Although there is that ten percent where I just can’t get motivated and don’t want to be there. I agree totally about the indoor machines being the least “fun” was to exercise. I avoid them at all costs!
I love it when I’m doing it regularly, but I forget that when I’ve gotten lazy and stopped. I’m in the “hate” phase right now, but I’m hoping to snap myself out of it by joining my local community center again.
Definitely a mix here. I have always been athletic and loved exerting myself, but over the years the workouts have definitely taken on a life of their own. I quit sports in high school so I would have more time to spend in the gym, as illogical as that sounds. Also, I always truly loved running, but I was so rigid about never taking a day off that I ruined my knees by age 21 and now can’t do it anymore.
So, a sad yes and a sad no.
Little bit of both! Some exercises I do because I know I should- but most of the time it’s because I really enjoy them (like walking!). And, as you say, the results are fantastic :)
I love the way it makes me feel AFTER… but the affair stops there. Such a love/hate relationship…
I only seem to love exercising when I’m already in pretty good shape. Getting in shape is not the most fun. But once I’m in shape, I really enjoy going out for a run.
Sometimes I feel that I do it for me and sometimes I don’t. In a way, I don’t want to do it but I also NEED to do it. I agree with LiLu in that I feel good afterwards.
When I played soccer, it’s because I wanted to play soccer. When I spared muay thai, it was because I wanted to spar. Etc. I never looked at these activities as something I should be doing for health reasons. I only did them for fun.
At 29, I have never been to a gym to ‘work out.’