Why do you exercise?

to get massive guns.

Because it’s not easy. It’s not only the body you exercise when you work out. The kind of mindset required to stick with it is something that you can use anywhere in life.. even places outside the gym.

For me the key is to do stuff I enjoy. Swimming, basketball, bowling, biking, walking, and skateboarding.

It is something I enjoy and not planned so it is actually fun.

The thing is, you have to couple exercise, in any form, with good eating habits as well. Going for a five mile run, coming home, and plowing through that Pint of half baked Ben and Jerry’s (I’m not saying you do, lol just an example).

Also, if you’re not getting much benefit from simple running, weight lifting sessions three plus times a week also.

If that doesn’t work, run harder, faster, and longer, until you can’t move.
Being that tired is one of the best feelings, you get a sense of accomplishment, not to mention you sleep like an effing baby that night.

I haven’t been exercising, but when I do it’s because I want to look as good as I can and become healthier.

I ride my bike because it’s fun. I get to see stuff, and I feel good about getting places under my own power, and my legs just like to be used. It’s also not all that pounding, the way running is.

Anyway, perhaps you might do better if you find a form of exercise that actually feels fun for you. Running may not be it. And if the only reason you do it is because you want to lose weight, or be healthy because someone told you you should, then I think that’s not very motivating. Exercise, at it’s best, gets you into a meditative state. For me, being in nature is a part of that. When I’m riding, or cross country skiing, I get all warmed up, and my muscles get pleasantly sore, and there’s all this beauty to see. I just feel alive and physical. Wonderful!

Also, I get a bit of macho pride out of it. Like, riding to work today when it’s in the mid-nineties. Most people hide in the a/c, but I like to test myself. You work and get all sweaty, and all you want is a drink and to fall in a pool. And when you do fall into the pool—heaven!

I’ve never liked to exercise—it gets boring too quickly, and 95% of the machines at the gym are a mystery to me.

Running might be OK, but whenever I try to take it up I get shin splints, remember why I had to quit track in high school, and don’t try to run again.

A couple of weeks ago, however, I started going to a small gym with a personal trainer. I’ve been going three times a week, and every day is something different. I also like how the treadmills and elliptical machines each have a flat-screen TV in front of them. I get to watch grown up TV (ie not Nickelodian or Cartoon Network), have my own set of earphones, and complete control of the remote. It’s the best part of my day.

For me the personal trainer works because I am a procrastinator. I can’t put it off though because we set up appointments ahead of time. When I’m there, I’m her only client, so she makes sure I’m doing everything right and not injuring myself. She made me keep a food journal, and since I don’t want to waste all this money I’m spending to be tortured three times I week, I’ve started eating much better (much less). I’ve lost weight already and am starting to enjoy having sore muscles. When my abs ache, it’s nice to know that I actually have abs. I wasn’t sure they existed anymore. I like the progress from week to week, like how the first day we did these sit-up type exercises and thought two sets of ten would kill me. Today I did two sets of fifteen and didn’t quite feel like I was being murdered. When something is really, really, hard, I feel like I have to push through it because my trainer is there watching me. I don’t want to wimp out in front of her, even if she wears skimpy clothes, is at least ten years older than me, and runs 15 miles a day. I secretly hate her.

I can tell it’s past my bedtime because I’m rambling. If you don’t like running, try something else. Ask someone to run with you, and maybe that will help. Switch it up with different things so you don’t get bored. Go to the gym with someone, and push each other. Or just tell everyone you have shin splints, stop running, and start biking instead.

My main form of exercising is biking. I do it because I really like to. I wouldn’t like to just go to a gym or anything, my goal isn’t to get buff or lose weight. It just feels good to exercise.

I just started again.

I am on my 5th strait day of 33min. of vigorous walking.

I exercise because I am over weight.
I exercise because I want to see my kids grow up.
I exercise because I want to do more active things again.

I have been running most of my life and I too have a love/hate relationship with it. But I am now almost 65 and when we have the mini-triathlons in our town, I am doing all 3 events by myself (most have teams) and I am still beating a lot of them. A lot of people my age couldn’t begin to do what I do. So I guess it pays off if you live long enough, I take no meds for anything and my weight and bmi are well in the healthy range.

I do have to bribe myself though with new toys and the like. It is good to listen to books on your iPod while you run and I just bought myself a handheld GPS and that is so cool, tells me exactly how far I go plus I don’t worry about getting lost in the bush.
Before I got that I used www.mapmyrun.com which is a fun site to keep you interested and motivated.

I really do prefer tennis though and can’t wait to get back to civilization where I can play again!

I want to live to see my 90’s in relative health as other family members have, maybe even surpass into my 100’s.

A shower after a vigorous workout always feels good man.

My mother and mother in law are both elderly. When I see how fragile they are and how much trouble they have just moving their bodies around (with walkers) I know that I f I don’t take care of myself now, build a strong core and keep strong overall, I could end up in the same boat. I am comited to doing everything I can NOW to avoid that.

Hmm, I don’t exercise at all. I do yard work, but only because it needs to be done. I do a lot of walking at my job, and I have no regular exercise regime.

I suppose I could say I get enough exercise flying off the handle, jumping to conclusions, and running away from drama, but that would be a cheap answer, and I don’t think I can sink that low. =)

My brother came home from abroad today and I guess I was scratching my arm or something when he suddenly said, “Doom, is that your bicep? It’s freaking huge!”

That makes all the hours of working out worth it.

As for the motivation factor, I did something years ago that might seem unreasonable to most people: I told myself that unless I am ill or have an appointment, there is no excuse to miss the gym. And for some reason, that worked for me. Any day that I felt lazy or tried to come up with a reason to skip the gym, I would hear myself saying, “there is no excuse to miss the gym.”

Another thing you can do is get a friend to go with you. Be warned though; your friend must be super-committed, and you both have to push each other to go. I started going with a friend about 6 months ago, and I’ve gotten so used to going with him that when he can’t make it, I find myself missing the gym. He’s become a bit of a crutch, even for my iron will. So make sure they are as committed to the gym as you are so you can keep other on your toes.

To look & feel better! :)

Because it feels absolutely..friggin..wonderful! If it doesn’t feel like that for you, odds are that you haven’t found the right kind of exercise.

Running suck? Try lifting heavy stuff. Nature hikes. Parkour. Martial arts. Don’t try to force yourself into liking a single exercise (like running).

(@Brahmaviharas I’d love to be able to practice Parkour but I couldn’t even get the slow movement of ballet right with my lumbering body..so that’s out of the quesiton for me…)

I’m not a lover of exerciser either niki..in fact this morning I led in bed groaning, moaning, sighing, huffing and puffing because (aside from the fact that my son was dragging me out of bed) I knew that today I had to exercise as I did not yesterday (for very much the same reason..the huffing puffing etc.)

The fact is..I love the feeling afterwards and the fact that of course it helps me lose weight and that it tightens up all my muscles and makes me feel like I am fit…even if I’m not quite there yet…

But…with a child it makes all sorts of exercise impossible..so I end up either walking (which is still a challenge) or doing DVDs (which incidentally; are really poor quality and uncreative these days…I think they were done to their death in the nineties…or maybe it’s that they are just not very practical… not sure…anyway!)

the other thing about exercising when dieting is that by it’s very nature it feels like you are sucking the life out of your body..which you are…because you have no energy.. and that does not feel good.

BUT! I will still keep doing it 3–4 times a week and keep trying to reach my ten thousand steps a day…even though hate it…because…

well.. Jack79 won’t meet me unless I lose another 3 pounds! lol..

no…because I am physically ill in a lot of ways due to being overweight and it’s painful..so I might as well go through more pain and end up looking good and hopefully happier… but the pay-offs are still in arrears…

god I’m depressed now…sorry…

You could try Ice-Skating,,, that’s LOTS of fun!!

Because I want to be fit enough to explore physically and not just mentally.

I don’t want to run out of steam before doing everything I want to do.

I want to be an athletic person.

It feels really good to exercise in a lot of ways -less cramps, less headaches, less trouble breathing, less trouble sleeping, and a whole lot more.

And if I keep swimming like I have been then next week I’ll crack coconuts with my thighs. :^>

@cyndyh the real impressive trick is to crack walnuts with yout butt cheeks.

@evelyns_pet_zebra : Yeah, I can’t do that yet. :^>

I have very limited mobility and strength training prevents my muscles from turning into mush. I may only be able to walk a couple of blocks but I was able to discard my cane.

I exercise because once I overcome my initial inertia, I feel better afterwards. by better, I mean that my mood is uplifted, I have more energy later in the day, and I sleep better at night.

I can only stick with exercise that I enjoy so like johnbpowell I swim, I hike, I walk. I also dance, do tai chi and am planning to restart yoga.

There is plenty of research showing that the cardio benefits of walking are equal to running and it less hard on the joints. Why not change what you are doing?

One reason is because it makes me a healthier and more competent person, which can pay off in various ways. Just this afternoon I helped an aunt to take apart a heavy wardrobe.
Stereotypically enough, I’m much inspired by video games. For years I’ve been taught that a strong body is important for outrunning dangers, overcoming obstacles or defeating enemies.

Another reason is because it’s fun to do. :)

There’s probably also a factor of mental development involved, in my case. Getting into serious exercise has taught me the merits of a way of thinking diametrically opposed to the one I had always known. That in itself made it worthwhile for me.
I’ve always been a philosopher, in search of the truth. Always doubting, very careful not to jump to conclusions, ready to discard any view at the drop of a hat when it seems right to do so. Bent on open-mindedness.
Exercise has taught me to be decisive instead. When trying to push your body to its limits, open-mindedness only gets in the way. You need to believe in yourself, against better knowledge if you must. Do or do not; there is no try. That sort of thinking.
It’s been quite interesting in its own right to get to know that mind-set.

I always joked that I started because of the fear of looking like the women on my biological father’s side of the family. They are all short and squat. They start out around 5’2” to 5’4” – then, well…they die in the 4’ 8–10 range. They really shrink. One of my aunts said they need square coffins to bury the women in the family. Sick, but a dark but funny family joke.

I started exercising in school and just found it was something I truly enjoyed. I haven’t run in quite some time, due to surgery. on my foot. I enjoy a lot of different forms of exercise and always like to try new things.

After I am finished, I feel good. I feel like I did something good for me and my family. I’m doing my best in hanging around to be there for my children, when they have kids. :)

I exercise to be able to do the things I want to do, but have always had excuses not to. This year, I have been hiking, kayaking, paintball battling, zip-lining, and I got my motorcycle license. Soon, I will be going horseback riding and skydiving!!

I work with many elderly, and at least once per day, I am told “Don’t get old, Dear.” My reply is to ask what my alternative is, or if they know the location of the fountain of youth. But the fact of the matter is that wellness IS the fountain of youth. Physical fitness, mental alertness, and emotional well-being together to allow us to make the most of this life.

I see in my patients, and in myself, the changes that happen not necessarily from just aging, but mostly from lack of activity. When I was a kid, I would swing on the swingset for hours; I would do cartwheels and somersaults; I rode the rollercoaster 11 times in a row, etc. When I try those things now, not only does my body groan, but I notice how my equilibrium gets thrown-off… because it is not being consistently stimulated and challenged the way it was when I was a kid. I will never be 43 again – this is my one chance to make the most of my relative youth!
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“If you don’t use it, you lose it.” — That’s why I exercise.

@hearkat : Exactly! That’s why my last vacation was the best one yet. I was able to keep going all day, for several days in a row, to do all the things we wanted to do. If I’d tried all that a year or so ago it would have ended me.

I exercise because I like to, because it is good for me, and because it is part of my diabetes management program (diet, exercise, and medicine).

Girls.
(enough said?)

To keep my brain healthy.

Amen brother Matt!~ it’s amazing how much clearer I think when I’m working out.

Good question! :]

For me, I just want to be fit! I long ever so much for that fit ideal body, not because it looks good, but it FEELS friggin good! Im not too bad right now, but when I used to weigh a little more, I was depressed often and then I picked up running. After that, depression was GONE, and my self esteem sky rocketed as they say!

With you, are you at least gaining anything? Like, are you losing weight? Looking better? Getting fit? If not, you might have to up it. Ya know, increase some things. Running is VERY boring. Its hard for people to stay focused and run for long periods of time. Maybe, take some weights, or even run on a mountain trail instead of a flat surface. Bring some one with you, or even better, TRAIN some one!

Well, dont give up. Im sure youll find a way! We need more healthy people in this world, so please dont quit!

To feel better physically. More energy and overall my body feeling good.

Exercise has always come naturally to me. I don’t enjoy the idea of running to run, but I love competition. So running and very rigorous exercise usually comes prior to this competition. With that drive to succeed in competition being so powerful I often get a huge amount of satisfaction after training to the point of exhaustion, (that and the endorphins).

I understand that not everyone has that insatiable desire to compete and win, but if I could give a tip, try and join a race, sport or competition of some kind, so Running and Training isn’t just to stay healthy, it’s so you can compete. (That was a very long run on ;p)

So when I hug people they feel safe. So when I’m out with my girl I can pick her up. So if someone needs help I can lend a hand. So when times get tough, I can be tougher. So when someone is being hurt I can protect them.

A strong body can lead to a strong heart, a strong mind, and a strong soul.

I exercise so that if I am needed, I can be there.

@Shield_of_Achilles That is probably the best answer you can give. ;p That is why we were gifted with these bodies, so we can live and help each other, not to see who is stronger or faster. (But I still have fun trying to win a race.)

It helps me relax and it is good for my health. I enjoy it.

@Judi Yessss…..that is my main motivation as well. I am in the gym with a personal trainer 2–5 times a week, and it is that picture that drives me.

Exercise keeps me healthy. Exercises is healthy for the mind and body. It cuts down on stress.

To survive for the long term

To keep everything working as it should. Toned muscles hold bones in the right place, burn more calories, and resist injuries.

I like the way 0400 exercise gets me going for the day, and helps me go right to sleep at night.

I like modeling a healthy exercise routine for my children.

I like taking the lead, so my soulmate, feels healthy ‘pressure’ to join me at the gym, without me having to say a word.

I get to eat what I want, because I can compensate at the gym…for the most part.

I like the clarity that a good solo run, without distraction, can bring to my mind.

I like being stronger, faster, and more adept than my children…it sets the bar high for their personal fitness goals.

There is something strangely cathartic about sweating which I enjoy.