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submitted 2 years ago by aCosmicWave@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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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[-] SeaJ@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

I have recently started to enjoy taking bike rides. I used to do it before with friends and didn't mind it but it was not super enjoyable. It likely had to do work the fact that they would always do 40 mile bike rides that had a decent amount of hills. None of us have time for bike rides that long anymore. But a nice 10 mile bike ride is a nice but of time to just clear my head and enjoy looking one way and seeing the Cascades and looking the other way and seeing the Sound and the Olympics.

I have heard of runner's high and read a good explanation for it that I don't remember. Regardless, I don't get runner's high and honestly hate running. Even with a podcast in, I can't get myself to like it. It might be a bit better if I did it more often but that is a big hump to get past.

[-] ji88aja88a@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I've found that the hurdle is actually starting and motivating yourself to go do it..after though, I feel great for doing it.

[-] yerbuddyboston@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I walked on the treadmill today. It was nice. No pressure to go fast or do any prescribed workout. I put in my earbuds, had a video playing off to the side, and went at my own speed. First time I’d done that kind of thing in a long while, and it was nice. Got a whole mile in. I don’t know if that’s the appeal exercising has for everyone else, but that’s it for me.

[-] EveningPancakes@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

I need to change my sports up periodically but yes I do enjoy working out in the moment. It gives me a lot of time to myself to think through things going on in my life. Last year I was mainly cycling, this year I've been swimming on a Masters team, competing in Nationals and exploring open water swim competitions. I get really cranky when I don't have a physical activity to keep me preoccupied. I'm very aware of my body image so it helps to ensure I'm feeling good about myself. That and I get to eat all the unhealthy things with less consequences of gaining the weight (although salt is a weakness for me and my blood pressure).

[-] frozen@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz 1 points 2 years ago

I love CrossFit, but I'm not culty about it. I don't really care for the community aspect of it, and in fact, I prefer to go during "open gym" instead of normal classes.

But I like it because someone else sets the workout, it's different every day, and every movement is scalable to my needs. Add on to the fact that I'm seeing noticeable progress in my strength, conditioning, and physique, and sometimes I do actually enjoy the work in the moment.

I also enjoy running because I'm one of those weirdos.

[-] EfreetSK@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Eh, not sure if enjoyment is the right word. But it's nice.

I started with running this year and it was awful and painful. But after I passed a certain threshold I realized it's no longer painful, I could just hold the pace and run like forever.

Now it's sort of relaxing experience where I can just let loose my brain and think about whatever I want for like half an hour. Which is nice when you're an adult with no time for yourself

How to achieve this - I don't even know myself how I made it. I got one of those Garmin watches for birthday and there was this Coach feature, I just followed it and after like 4 months I was able to run 12 km

[-] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 years ago

Gods! I used to! I had to stop the kinds of exercise I loved post disability, and the fucking physical therapy shit I can still do isn't enjoyable, it's just so damn dull and doesn't give the same feeling of satisfaction, despite hurting so much more.

But I would work out up to three hours a day when I had time. Calisthenics, strength training, martial arts (unarmed, plus various weapons), break falls and air rolls (an offshoot of the martial arts).

It was fun, and I could feel the benefits of it, and I miss the ability to tell my body what to do, and it just does it.

But yeah, I not only enjoyed the workout itself, and the benefits, but I even enjoyed the ache and burn of it. It was fulfilling on so many levels.

[-] Dmx@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

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.

[-] teft@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I like mountain biking. Every other type of exercise can shove it.

[-] andyMFK@reddthat.com 1 points 2 years ago

I started running to lose some weight recently. And I genuinely enjoy it.

It's alone time, time to think, or listen to an album or podcast and just be alone.

I enjoy the progress I'm seeing. Every week I can run further than I could the last week, every week gets easier and faster, and beating my pb is a real endorphin rush. Every week I weigh less than I did the previous week.

I enjoy feeling proud of myself. It would be so easy to sit on the couch and watch Netflix. Or play a silly little video game. And that's what most people do. I enjoy not being most people. I enjoy putting in the work to better myself.

I enjoy pushing myself. When my legs burn and I don't think I can run anymore, but I push through that and run another kilometer. the runners high is real. Not comparable to a fun drug, but still feels good.

So yeah, I'm not a fitness guy, but working out definitely has it's place and can be enjoyable

[-] lasagna@programming.dev 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Nah, it's definitely a delayed gratification in my case. I don't dislike working out per se, I just like doing other things more. Hence why I do a couple of physically demanding sports.

[-] nomoreheadphonejac@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Yes, it lets me take my mind away from things for abit. Helps to keep me in shape as well

[-] benjacoblee@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I enjoy it when I'm eating at a modest surplus - it's trash on a deficit

[-] vicfic@iusearchlinux.fyi 1 points 2 years ago
[-] dfc09@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

It took me a while. Once I was in shape, didn't get horribly sore, could hit impressive PR's, and saw undeniable results. That's when I switched from "ugh gotta go to the gym" to "hell yes time to tear it up at the gym"

I think seeing the massive pattern of progress without dealing with the soreness is what I need to enjoy it.

[-] _haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I used to, but I fell out of the habit. Mostly with strength training, kinda hated cardio haha. The only way I liked cardio was to hop on an elliptical and tune out to a show while I "ran".

[-] DontTreadOnBigfoot@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Fucking love it. I'm an absolute gym rat.

Problem is, I'm currently wasting away due to severe anemia, and in the last 2 months, I've gone from deadlifting 500lbs to barely being able to carry in groceries.

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this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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