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?
Lifting: I definitely don’t like while I’m doing it.
Riding my bike though: it’s great to get out there early in the morning and explore, see nature, etc. with the bike, I also just like the feeling of speed, so the physical act of riding can actually be enjoyable.
To a lesser degree, the same can apply to running. I find that when I’ve been in better shape, I could experience that runner’s high.
I recently started and I fucking hate it. I need a ‘reason’ like playing a sport. So for now my motivation is my daughter. So I can keep up with her. And I’m going to try join the local soccer club next year as a carrot on a stick to aim for.
I do light workouts at home, and it’s honestly a hassle, but I enjoy the benefits of it (especially walking just to take my mind off of things). So I kinda just suck it up lol. I’m still working towards making it a habit (if not already), so what I do is also watch videos during sessions.
I find that being active along with having a balanced diet makes me feel energized throughout the day, and also make me sleep better at night.
I also look forward to cheat days. I work hard and in return, reward myself with something good. Whenever I find myself feeling lazy, I try my best to push through with it. Feels kinda bad to skip tbh so I try to make it up the following day.
I’ve been lifting weights daily since I was 15, and I’m 33 now. I enjoy it in that it makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something more than I would be if I just sat on my ass at home. It feels good to push yourself physically and ‘feel the burn’ and work up a sweat. Humans were meant to use their bodies and if you don’t there’s a very good chance that that is the reason you feel like shit all the time.
But also no because I find weight training to be exceptionally boring. This is easily mitigated though because once you have the flow of your workout solidly built into your head, it’s simple enough that you can turn your brain off and focus on the podcast you’re listening to. 30-50 minutes will pass by in a flash.
I still have days where I dread my workout, and I have to really push myself to complete them. Generally, if I go straight home from work and sit on my couch, I will not get back up.
Yes, I feel pleasure when lifting weights. It’s good to feel powerful, and it’s good to feel like I’m getting stronger. I also get pleasure from knowing I can do it and that I’m dedicated and can keep up the routine. So I suppose it’s mostly mental pleasure, but physically having that feeling of power is great at the very least.
Climbing is the first time I had fun working out - the problem solving aspect of it is fantastic, and no route is the same. I even started training specifically to be come better at it. Now the trick is to not get injured when you get too psyched
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
The repetitiveness would have me get bored instantly… Have you tried bouldering? Every route is different, you have to figure out how to move, which muscles to activate etc…, so you stick to the boulder (wall) and dont fall off. It is so much more rewarding because you not only do a physical activity but also analyse and solve a problem. Might not feel like this for the very beginner problems but definitely later one, once your technique backpack gets a bit bigger. Can highly recommend.
I hate working out because it’s super boring. Like just standing there, not moving and just lifting weights… Or running in a circle on a track… Or even cycling with no where to go. It all seems pointless. However lately I have been rock climbing, specifically bouldering. It’s everything I want in working out. Problem solving, working my body in weird ways, and it’s very acceptable to socialize while you do it. After, my body is screaming at me, but I had a great time so it’s good!
I don’t. I think post workout endorphins are a myth spread to make maintenance on our meat mechs seem more palatable. I “like” to swim, in so much as the water continuously washes the sweat off while I work out.
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