Hi: This might seem like a strange question. I’ve been reading your emails. And I wonder..
I met someone a long time ago who said he works out mainly to look good. He likes to be stared at. He likes the attention. He likes the fact that when he takes off his coat people make comments about his biceps.
Unfortunately I am the opposite. I don’t look at myself as the centre of attention. I have no health concerns, and I am happy with myself but I can’t find the motivation. I mean who WOULDN’T want to have abs unless they were suffering from a disease? I completely understand the health aspects and I excercise by walking long distances. I get compliments on my calves in the summertime but I don’t feel motivated because of the compliments. Maybe what I wrote make absolutely no sense to you.
Why do YOU work out? Just curious.
Gary
===========
Ray Says
===========
Hi Gary, that is actually a profound and great question. The answer is also the reason why I succeed at doing it.
I work out because I find it fun. I enjoy the challenge of seeing if I can do a handstand. It makes me feel like I’m a kid playing. I get kicks out of jumping over things and how I get to enjoy any activity or sport that life will throw at me… at any time, because I know my body can do it.
If you find something fun, you do it more. If you do it more, you get in shape faster. Find something that involves activity that you enjoy and that makes you feel like you are playing. It can be anything, just do it.
You’ve heard my reasons. Why do you workout?
That is a great question. And for me, I go even further in that I reframe the entire concept. I don’t workout. I train. I’m trying to accomplish something with my exercise and nutrition. By training towards a performance goal, it is much easier to transcend the physique based mentality. And the feeling of achieving that new physical skill is super gratifying. Right now I am working on being able to do the gymnastics planche. It’s been a long process, but I’m almost there. And THAT is really exciting.
Cheers,
Adam
Adam Steer – Better Is Better’s last blog post..My Top Three Clubbell® Exercises – Part one of three, The Clubbell® Side-Semi
Hey Adam, I’m working on the planche too! I just got my set of rings last week and am really enjoying working on front and back levers.
Thanks for coming by and sharing your outlook on training.
For those of you that don’t know Adam Steer, he’s got a mean pistol with a monster clubbell.
For myself, I workout because it makes me feel good. I’m able to go about the day with increased energy and pep, as opposed to dragging. I care about how I look (who doesn’t), but for me it’s really secondary.
- Dave
David at Animal-Kingdom-Workouts’s last blog post..The New Bodyweight Exercises Blog