this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2023
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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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[–] PartialPenguin@aussie.zone 2 points 1 year ago

I lift weights a few days in the week and it's just routine now. I don't find working out to be fun, but seeing friends at the gym and and chatting is fun.

[–] BubblyMango@lemmy.wtf 2 points 1 year ago

I love lifting weights/using machines at the gym but absolutely despise doing the exact same things at home alone (or at an empty gym for that matter).

There is something about being surrounded by others that also workout that really motivates me at the moment, gets me into the mood of working out and giving it my best.

Then, while lifting/using a machine, it becomes a game of how much i can manage today, how much have i progressed, how much i lift compared to some other random person. There is also thr good natural feeling you get while working out, and when i give it my all, i can really feel it.

I still heavily dislike cardio at the gym, such as using a treadmill. I try to turn it into a game though - manage to run exactly 1 kilometer in exactly 5 minutes etc. It somewhat helps for short runs.

[–] worfamerryman@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

It’s more the feeling of satisfaction and less a feeling of pleasure.

Working out is not a pleasurable thing, it’s hard, tiring, and painful.

But you see positive changes in your body, you feel better day to day and you know you are adding years on to your life.

This is what makes it enjoyable. But it will not be like this on day one. It will be like this maybe after 2-4 weeks of doing it consistently.

Also you have to eat right. If your just eating junk you may not feel as good.

[–] CatBusBand@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

I personally don't unless it's an interactive activity. Examples are rock climbing, swimming, badminton and tennis. Otherwise, workouts feel boring.

[–] Dmx@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year 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.

[–] minorsecond@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

I compete in powerlifting and it’s a lot of fun. You just need a good goal and you’ll end up loving the process of getting there.

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

It depends. Running and lifting I enjoy the results but the activity is boring, I never got runners high.

Jazzercise was fun fun fun though, any sort of dance aerobics like that is perfect because have to pay just the right amount of attention to it - enough that I can't think about other things, but not so much that I really have to think hard about the movements. I wish there were still classes by me.

Yoga is fun too, in a different way. It takes concentration, always adjustments to posture, and it's very empowering to be able to do handstands or other arm balances, it's challenging in a good way and the reminders to coordinate your breath with movement is helpful.

So for me it depends on what the workout is but sure, I like moving physically, enjoy it and don't do it only for results.

[–] time_example@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] MrMcMisterson@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

I have a love hate relationship with it. I absolutely love it when I'm consistent with it. When I fall off the wagon, I hate trying to get back into it. Its hard and I could easily just go and do anything else.

[–] plutolink@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] MammyWhammy@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] bouncingbollocks@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago

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

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

[–] LongbottomLeaf@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

[–] cultsuperstar@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

I, for one, am disappointed in our evolution. We should be able to control every cell in our body by now and not have to exercise. But I guess this is the end of the road for our evolution lol. This is as good as it gets, folks.

[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year 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.

[–] Fizz@lemmy.nz 1 points 1 year ago

I love running and running on the treadmill. I get into a rhythm and it's like meditation. I don't listen to music and I'm faxing a blank wall.

[–] EfreetSK@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year 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

[–] Junkdata@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

I dislike running, getting tired, hot and sweaty. However i love post workout feeling good, the moment its over for the day, the tension of my muslces after a workout, and a nice cold shower especially during summer heat. I also enjoy when i notice things have become easier after being consistent with my workouts, though i have to increase the difficulty its a nice fealing of progress. Sleep is getting better i just need my meals to be at a good direction to get the best out of myself.

[–] Djangofett@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

I forgot to add, it's good to have a goal. Whether it's losing weight or building muscle, and have a plan to achieve it. Keep at it, it takes time for new habits to form.

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