Asklemmy

Having had both great and terrible work out days, I found what led to the good, enjoyable days was purely the mindset. HIIT on a stationary bike sucks, but I had some fun sessions when I turned it into a game. Weight lifting routines can be super boring, but changing from rep based to time based and seeing if you can crank out a few more reps without sacrificing form can make it fun.

It takes a lot to get into that mindset for me, but it's possible and it makes a world of difference. Gamification of any task can introduce a challenge and give oneself a better purpose in the moment.

I hate it during the workout but I love the feeling after. Problem for me is getting started

Yes, I now love taking exercise in most ways but I came to it quite late. Today for instance, as training for a sprint triathlon I've decided to to, I ran to the swimming pool, swam the required distance and then ran back. It felt great to be able to do it. Some bits of my body were sore but not in a bad way, just a reflection of the fact that I worked hard and accomplished something if not done before, it feels great.

For me there is no greater endorphin rush than listening to some really good bassey music and really pushing myself on a cardio machine

Rum & bass + rowing machine really got the adrenaline going for me, was actually comparable to being high for a period of time

Lifting weights is different but feels very good to see yourself in the mirror lifting something heavier than you've ever done before and you get addicted to chasing that feeling

I think part of the mindset is getting yourself to embrace the physical punishment and actively seek it out, couldn't tell you exactly how to do that but for me a lot of the time knowing it's going to be difficult will get me more excited now

I didn't enjoy it at first, but seeing progress in my weightlifting encouraged me a ton. Eventually I did start enjoying the actual workout, and if I skip a day it feels like something is missing.

Ive been lifting for about 4 years, it took 6-12 months for me to start enjoying the process.

I do. Something in my monkey brain just likes lifting heavy shit.

It's delayed gratification.

I hate working out. It feels like shit. It hurts. It takes time. It's not fun.

But this is so much better than looking like shit.

I'm weight deficient for a man. Had to deal with a lot of comments from not being a real man to bring viewed like a cartoon character to some women.

Every time I want to stop a set early or not workout that night, I hear all the haters and I run back to my routine.

I do it for them. And it works.

Depends on the exercise. My favorites are heavy squat and deadlifts. It's just a good feeling increasing the weight every week and hitting new maxes while getting stronger.

I suck at bench so I'm never looking forward to that, but I've set goals to hit by the end of the year so I'm sticking to it.

Honestly now, I feel terrible when I don't workout and it really affects my mental state.

I'm at a point where sometimes I don't want to go lift, but it's part of my routine that if I don't go I feel like shit. a chore to go, change and warm up but 20min in I just fall in the zone

I climb , so it’s fun and not really a chore at all. If anything I’m disappointed when my skin gives out and I have to give it a break.

No. It's always a pain the ass. I love how it makes me feel though.

It's kind of hard to describe really

It's like you're lost in the movements, you're caught in the flow, the strain is no longer a struggle, you just flow, you move and it moves.

Your reps go on, your sets flow together, the down time ceases being a factor, you're there.

The presence of mind and body, you are there, you are now, you move.

Numbers mean nothing but you know when the reps are done, the exercises flow together.

Someone could call your name and you wouldn't know it as it's not in your mind.

There's only the movement, there's only the flow.

There is no you, there is no weights, there is no other, there is only movement and flow.

And when it's over you know it, yet feel like you could go a second time through the whole affair. And sometimes I do and then I feel Godly for the whole day and sometimes the next.

And the sleep quality that night is beyond description.

I've hit that state many times doing calisthenics (my typical workout), when out biking, and when out hiking. It's always the same really.

Hour long calisthenics routine? What's a second hour really?

20 mile bike ride? I could go another round, why not snag some dinner from that food cart I got lunch at?

15 mile hike? Well tonight's going to be even better with all the stars, what's a second trip around the mountain?

You don't get there immediately, you won't get there every time, but when you do it's bliss.

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.

Sometimes, but not always. Whether it's cardio or weights, I'd guess maybe 20% of sessions are amazing, 20% are garbage and I can't wait to finish, and 60% are fine. I generally prefer weights, but there's actually something really fun when you're having an s-tier cardio session.

Recently bought a rowing machine, gotta say I enjoy taking my frustrations from the day and putting that energy into rowing.

Depends. In the past when life was easier, a little more yes. Now that life has become more complicated with responsibilities it's different. I still enjoy a bit of time away from everything but sometimes it's exhausting to manage it all. I wouldn't stop though.

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.

Yes, I love it. I feel that enjoying it comes with a few factors: knowing what you're doing is correct and maximizing each workout, and a shift in mindset that the "dread" of it doesn't actually have to be dread, which takes time to shift your head into. Of course, there are days where I'd rather not go, but showing up for the ritual is what matters, at that point.

Working out is pain and suffering, but you can get so used to it you don't notice/mind the pain.

Gyms are weird. However, trail running in my favorite park til I feel like I might go into cardiac arrest is great! Plenty of distracting wildlife, no cars. Pushing past that feeling of "I'm gonna die" as I pass the muscular heavy lifters.

What can you do to cultivate this? Uhh...hate yourself and love the outdoors? But in a "guess I'll floss cause it hurts" kinda self loathing. Also gotta find a park you wouldn't mind dying in.

It's not fun, I do it cause it gives me euphoric feelings similar to opiates and it makes my brain shut up for a few hours. Plus I sleep like a champ after a good workout

Yes, I do actually enjoy working out. I am a sotfware developer, but at the end of the work day, I am tired of developing, I am tired of computers, and I just want to go outside. Both cycling and hiking is my therapy and I clear my head when I do it. I like fresh air, nature and views from mountains. Also, I feel really happy when I finish working out, because I know I did something for myself. But it was not always like that. It was hard from the start, but step after step, it became easier and easier for me. Don't start with too long walks/hikes/rides. Starts with smaller ones, and every few days add more and more. Start with 1km walk for example. Next week add maybe 0,5km more. Next week maybe add some hill or something. Just don't overdo it. And find some motivation to do it. Do you like nature? Go walking into nature. Do you like dogs? Get a dog and go walking with a dog.

How did I start hiking and why? When I was hiking with my friends, I was always last, and I couldn't keep up with my friends. Also, it was really hard for me. I was also overweight. So I had to do something about myself. I started walking, but with short walks. Really short ones (like 0,5km only). But every few walks I added more and more. Now I can do really long walks and hikes without any problem.

How did I start cycling and why? Well that's another story. I really liked one girl, and she was cyclist. I was thinking it would be easier for me to hang out with her if I also start cycling. I would also have something to talk about with her. So I started cycling and cycling and cycling. Of course I was also talking with her, showing my results, etc. She was really big motivation for me. Unfortunately, it didn't work out with her, we went on a lot of dates, but eventually, we stopped dating. But at the end of the day, she helped me becoming good cyclist and now I can do really long rides, without any problem.

So, moral of the story: I think the main key here is motivation. Find something that will motivate you. And it doesn't need to be about walking or hiking or cycling. It can be totally different. This worked for me, but something else will work for some other people.

I'd rather hang upside down under water and smack my face with fast moving rocks than work out in a gym

Cuz I kinda do that

It’s a few things. It’s the positive feedback loop of seeing and feeling yourself get bigger and stronger. It’s the rush of good chemicals/hormones/whatever the body releases. It’s the feeling/thought that there is nothing you could be doing that could be more beneficial for your health, and knowing the knock-on effects that has for you long term. Its the pump.

I can definitely lose myself in the flow of accomplishing a workout the same as I used to playing sports.

I also usually like the feeling of being a little sore/achy knowing I did something worth doing that day.

I like the feeling of not being winded walking up stairs and feeling like I can carry all the weight without much effort.

I like eating a pile of food knowing my body needs to eat because it had to work.

Somedays though, working out and all the rest of it just sucks.

For those that has natural build for body building, sure, it might be fun. Not everyone is built to lift weights.

I think there's some people who do but the vast majority of people don't. I mean, if we look statistically, people do very little intentional exercise unless they have to and despite repeated instructions to do more exercise from the government, media, doctors, the amount of people doing exercise hasn't really changed. In fact, it's gotten worse. Compare that to other hobbies or just watching TV or playing video games.

Also regarding exercise highs, clearly some people do get it but there is an extremely strange insistence that everyone can get it if they try and there's not a lot of evidence for this. The majority of studies done on exercise highs are with already fit people who exercised regularly on their own. (And even then some studies had a hard time getting the effect to show up) Comparatively fewer studies are done on unfit, overweight and or obese people to see if they're getting exercise highs at all.

Personally I think that trying to get people to enjoy exercise is setting them up for disappointment. Most people don't like it, that's why they don't do it. I find most of my workouts neutral. A bit like doing a boring assignment at work. I think that's the best way for people to look at it. Imo the key is not to hate it. If you hate what you're doing, definitely change to something else. But if you're consistent and just feel meh about it, I don't think there's any reason to chase some mythical awesome exercise that'll totally make you love working out especially if you already have non physical hobbies you like.