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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Ever bitten into a spicy pepper and enjoyed the burn? That’s what it feels like! Different strokes for different folks, but for me, every drop of sweat is a medal of honor. It’s tough to describe, but it’s about the journey of getting stronger, faster, better. Embrace the grind, my friend, and you might just find that elusive gym rat bliss.
That’s a good metaphor. Biting into a pepper and enoying the burn. It’s like using Linux just so you can say that you use Linux.
This made me snort.
I use Linux.
deleted by creator
I…used Linux once in 2012. Just got back from my workout.
This is why we use Linux instead of going to the gym
deleted by creator
Well… I use arch btw.
I don’t think I truly understood why some people don’t like spicy food until reading your comment.
As one of those people, they might as well have said “Have you ever stubbed your toe and really enjoyed the feeling?”
Growing up we barely seasoned food and now I was getting to point were I was getting bored with food, so I started buying black pepper, paprika and chili peppers to experiment and it changed me.
For me, it’s not about the burn/numbness (the first two barely give you any sort of kick anyways), but instead it’s about the flavour they add that I had never tasted. It’s that flavour that enhances the food, not the hotness. I have no interest is using artificially hot sauces for the gimmick.
A few years earlier I ate a chili hamburger out of curiosity and two bites into it my lips were absolutely numb, it was ridiculous. It wasn’t painfull, but it wasn’t pleasing either and it kept me out of “hot” food for a long while.
So it’s not solely about “stubbing your toe on purpose” or stepping on a Lego, but it can also be about experiencing new things like walking on freshly cut grass or wet sand.
I seriously can’t imagine a flavor so good that I would be willing to experience significant (let alone severe) pain in order to taste it. (Nor Have I been able to taste any extra flavors in even mildly spicy food.)
I don’t doubt your experience, but I absolutely can’t relate to it, or for that matter comprehend it.
Spicy food isn’t just “it’s so hot I can’t breathe”, it’s no different than eating something that’s bitter or sweet. Obviously, things that are super bitter or super sweet are equally displeasing for most people. Watered down lemon juice is very different from sugary lemon juice or raw lemon juice.
Spices and herbs affect the flavour of food, that’s why people use it. Same for condiments. For most, it’s not about a flaming/numbing effect because they don’t put big doses or use gimmicky sauces in the first place.
I think it’s incredible how the internet can connect people who come from different planets like this.
I mean yeah, if food is more bitter than it is sweet then it’s unpleasant to me (even the darkest chocolate has a lot of sugar) but that still doesn’t directly stimulate pain receptors like capsaicin does at any level. Very low levels of “heat” (pain) are indeed tolerable to me, but No level above zero is more enjoyable than zero, for any type of food.
I also don’t understand that concept of “too sweet” (for things that should be sweet, I am not talking about pizza for example). The only thing that stops me from just buying sugar in bulk and eating bowls of it at a time is concern for my health/teeth. (Which of course is a strong concern, and so far has managed to keep me from being diabetic)
I’m not sure if all of their drinks are like that, but my only experience with Starbucks was one of their holiday drinks and I could only drink 1/3 of it because it was so sweet that it was nauseating.
I agree with this one. Spicy sauces actually need to have flavor. My friends recommend Tapatio and so I doused that stuff on my food and it was just salty. I much prefer Sriracha or any other spicy sauces with flavor.
Yep, I prefer to taste all of the nuances of the food that I am eating, instead of trying to chemically burn off my taste buds
Yes, food that’s too spicy for a person can definitely distract from the other flavors and if way too hot even cause numbness, but it’s not actually chemically burning your taste buds. It’s just tricking one particular type of heat receptor nerve to falsely detect heat. The numbing effect can happen when those nerves are over stimulated, which triggers an inflammation response as if you had just gotten a real burn. Those nerves do get de-sensitized with exposure, but since it’s only one type among several different types of heat sensing nerve, it doesn’t damage the mouth’s ability to feel actual temperature heat. Only mammals have that particular type of sensory nerve, so birds, reptiles, etc. are completely unaffected by it.
My gf says this. But when I eat spicy food, it doesn’t interfere with the taste whatsoever. I also love the taste of really hot coffee when I’m eating something spicy. Something about the double burn really enhances the flavor.
I love spicy food but a hot beverage with it sounds awful. I don’t like carbonation with spicy food either though
This kinda did the opposite for me because all spicy food is just pain for me. No enjoyment.
I mean I do work out, I just never enjoy it.
I am not a fan of other workouts but I LOVE cycling. Wind in my face, sightseeing, ability to push harder or just cruise to catch my breath makes it really enjoyable IMO.
Same. At first it sucked, but nowadays, I really enjoy just being on my bike. I’m not competitive at all, if I’m slow, I’m slow.
I was going to say the same thing. With cycling, you get an immediate reward for your spent effort because riding fast just feels really fun. So I find myself wanting to put as much energy in as possible.
Cycling can also be a great social activity. You can have a nice chatty ride to a coffee shop or something a bit more competitive, depending on your preference. And it’s easy to find a group at your level, no matter your fitness.
Great solo activity too for the introverts. Pair of headphones and we’re off to the races. It’s an extremely adaptable sport.
I’m the same with running. Not a fan of anything else after the years.
No. Never. I think I’m very different because I am never motivated, nor feel good during/after exercise. No, my testosterone is fine.
Same. I even went pretty regularly for months and tried all the different workouts and while I was in better shape, none of it was enjoyable in any way.
There is definitely a huge difference after 6 months of focusing on one thing. I’ve done hot yoga off and on over about 12 years and I’d say it took 6 months of going consistently before I felt like my body adjusted and it was more enjoyable. After 2 years I didn’t feel like I was going to die and it actually became very enjoyable.
I’ve fallen off recently because it’s easier to sit around and initially it does suck because you need to readjust. But I when I had gone 2-3x in a week, man I felt like a god. I started going in my 20s, I was high af all the time and knew I needed some exercise or I was gonna die.
I think it takes a certain person to love lifting weights of all things. But luckily there are lots of things out there
Two years for it to become enjoyable? What is it, a JRPG?
After 2 years I couldn’t wait to get back in there each week. I felt great, looked healthy, my skin cleared up, I wasn’t depressed, was in the best shape of my life at the time. Playing video games (and later doing drugs) for 15 years didn’t exactly pay off in those areas.
I look at it like this: Am I going to be alive in 2 years? Ok, then taking on a 2 year project is worth it. Months fly by in the blink of an eye these days, 2 years will have gone by before you notice.
I’m in my mid 30’s and I spent A LONG time working out, getting as fit as I could.
I still hated my body when I looked in the mirror, and I hated every second of the workout. “Post workout” I was so proud, but like, that’s equivalent to drinking so you could appreciate being sober.
I stopped a while ago and started just trying to eat healthy and focus on other sources of happiness. I’m much happier since!
My body is the kind that absolutely won’t lose weight unless I do some cardio. Unfortunately, the gym is a while away, and work isn’t very forgiving either. If I worked hard on a day, I’ll come back home with a headache, and if I run with that my head will split open.
Eating healthy doesn’t seem to have an effect on my body. Even if I cut back to 1500 calories, my body fat is so stubborn that I couldn’t lose even a single kilogram in 2 months (didn’t exercise) of a very strict diet (not to mention I would be hungry sometimes).
I wonder if I could have a treadmill at home, and could just have a brisk walk every night I don’t feel like it (and run without going to the gym), I would actually do more cardio and maybe loss weight faster. But I can’t afford it.
My body looks like the underside of a frog, so I understand what you’re saying.
I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.
Dean Martin
RIP to a proper gentleman.
I’m in my mid 30’s and I spent A LONG time working out, getting as fit as I could.
I still hated my body when I looked in the mirror, and I hated every second of the workout. “Post workout” I was so proud, but like, that’s equivalent to drinking so you could appreciate being sober.
I stopped a while ago and started just trying to eat healthy and focus on other sources of happiness. I’m much happier since!
Yes. It’s my meditation moment. I don’t have to think about anything other than my posture and movement. I just put on the music I like and go. It also helps relieve tension and frustration when something bad happens during your day. And I feel great afterwards. That post-workout high is real.
Number go up, weight get heavier, me happy.
Back to using few words, Kevin?
Why use many word when few do trick?
I feel pleasure while my bicycle. The feeling is a mixture of childhood play and feelgood brain chemicals.
I like to go fast :)
I know exactly what you’re talking about. I can’t run seriously anymore (knees failing me), but I still dream about running fast and easily.
Similarly, when you get a smooth bike ride up to 20+ MPH and cruise there it’s really fun.
I like the feeling of progress as I’m still in the “noticeable improvement” phase of workouts, but while I’m actually on the bike I just kinda feel bored
I can push through it but it’s a means to an end, and I feel better after, not during.
you need a ferrari, not a bicycle
Are you trying to get them killed? Ferraris are expensive death machine.
You missed the point about exercise…
Yep. Especially after the training it’s like “yeah man I did it”.
Also, it’s all about consistency. Perfectionism is the enemy of consistency. Don’t be a perfectionist. Just be consistent and soon you’ll see results.
Like I see some people who just started working out and do as many push-ups or any other excercise with as many reps as they possibly can and after they’re exhausted.
That’s wrong. These people think that if you don’t do 100 pushups first day you’re a failure.
No, do even one push up. It’s more that 0. Then do 2, then 5, then 10, then 5 again coz you don’t feel like it today.
Like don’t starve for perfectionism. Just be consistent and you’ll actually get to enjoy working out. It’s a great way to clear your mind, have a healthy body, build muscles, better body chemistry and less diseases etc. Be consistent, not perfect. And avoid guys who make you feel you’re not doing enough. These guys will make you feel like every exercise should be perfect or with the highest reps possible or smth.
Apparently I’m in the minority here but I love working out. Specifically powerlifting. Cardio is ok after the fact but I don’t particularly enjoy it during, but lifting heavy is a huge stress relief and something I look forward to daily.
I like running in the morning. It gives me energy for the whole day.
That’s how I feel as well, I lift first thing in the morning before work and I feel like it helps carry me through the day.
Also helps to feel accomplished honestly, despite how shitty the rest of the day may be at least I did something to better myself.
I just dont understand. Its so incredibly boring. Like the physical equivalent of doing complex math problems for no reason.
I’d equate it more closely to reading a book as a leisure activity as there are noted benefits to both but neither are strictly necessary for survival.
There’s also a degree of mental conditioning to it as well. Once you start feeling and seeing the results, it reinforces the workout itself as the activity responsible for that and makes the workout itself more enjoyable as a result.
Plus I just enjoy pushing myself. Mentally and physically I enjoy a challenge and powerlifting is an easily quantifiable way to accomplish that.
Yeah im not saying exercise itself is pointless, just going to a gym and lifting is the most tedious way to exercise. To use your reading example, playing a sport like tennis or football, or riding a bike through a trail or something would be like reading a story book, whereas going to the gym would be like reading a dictionary or an encyclopedia.
If its what you enjoy, more power to you. but i really dont get it.
I respect other people’s hobbies and try not to take anything away from them. But I completely agree with you, it’s like, hey look at that really heavy rock, I think I’m gonna lift it up and put it down 100 times, yeah that sounds really fun wooooh! I just don’t get it.
With powerlifting the goal is to lift it just once so you can say you did, and to increase the amount over time. I hate lifting more than 3 reps lol.
Have you popped over to [email protected] yet?
I love riding my bike on the weekends and if my commute wasn’t 1.5 hours each way, I’d go to the gym pretty often.
It’s type 2 fun. You don’t want to do it, but you’re glad you did when you do
For reference: The Fun Scale .
thats a good way to put it. I really hate the Monotony of it so i try to change the workouts. I am not ever excited to go to the gym, but i want the effects of it so i just have to deal
Late to the party here, but in my home gym I set up a teevee with my nVidia Shield so I can watch whatever I want. This really helps with motivation as it rewires the task for more enjoyment. I play whatever comedies I enjoy which distracts from the difficulties that naturally come with working out. If I have a new show to watch, all the better. Silly shows like TPB, Reno911, Corporate, and Peep Show. Just keep them playing and I can keep going (mostly). Made a huge difference and I thought others should know this trick. It helped me to lose 50lbs!
Good luck to you!
This is for me too. But during working out… I hate aost every minute of it.
I like the feeling when I’m working very hard. Whether that’s lifting weights, hiking, mountains, or just moving heavy things I generally enjoy that feeling of exertion.
In terms of you starting to enjoy it, the only suggestion that I would make is that the only way through is forward and keep it going until it becomes enjoyable for you. That might sound counterintuitive but ultimately little in life that’s easy is worthwhile and the effort that you’ll put in will be rewarding.
Riding my bike for long rides? Absolutely love it.
Slinging weights in the gym and sweating my ass off on an elliptical machine? Hate every second. But I listen to audio books in the gym, and that makes it much more enjoyable. Im envious of people who actually enjoy the gym lol.
I very much like how I feel after the gym, and overall when Im active which is why I keep going back.
I’m walking every street in my (very large) suburb (think Southern California) and picking up litter while doing so. I track my progress with an app and map it to a website (citystrides.com) that fills in each neighborhood as I go.
It started as something to do during Covid–although I took a year off in there, somewhere. I listen to podcasts while I go. So I’m out of the house (I’m retired now–that helps), get some “fresh” air (🤷♂️ )–all while listening to and from and about interesting people. As a bonus, the space I’ve passed thru that day is a little “better” for me having been there.
I apparently have a dose of “completeism”–a compulsion to ‘complete’ something thoroughly. There’s something psychologically very satisfying about watching that map get filled in.
This is amazing, you’re amazing, keep up the great work. That map is beautiful.
That’s very thorough. You should also take photos along your walks, you’re definitely stumbling upon interesting things and people.
The de-littering aspect takes up a surprising amount of mental cpu cycles. You’re constantly scanning the environment for detritus. I DO photograph interesting or quirky things as I encounter them–when I notice the–but that doesn’t seem to be the primary focus of each walk. Plus, the Valley isn’t known for it’s stunning architecture. 😜
(The wealthier parts of the Valley–in the hills south of Ventura Blvd, for example–there are a lot of really interesting (and gaudy and ridiculous-looking) homes. There is also a LOT less trash, so it can be a more aesthetic experience. I like doing those neighborhoods early on Sunday mornings when everything is quiet and there is almost no traffic.)
I’ve encountered a gentlemen online that is walking different areas of the greater L.A. area and taking many interesting photos–but it’s hard to de-trash AND photograph and get thru the planned route in a timely manner.
Yeah, I totally understand! It just really resonates with the idea of street photography, which is a lot of walking, a lot of looking, and a lot of appreciation of the little things, the little moments or visual accents that happen in daily life. You’re welcome to join in [email protected] to check out what I’m talking about.
What software do you use to track your walks and map them out so thoroughly?
There are several apps that I can use–but I most often it’s the “Walk” app on a Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch – which then syncs with the CityStrides website.
And I totally get street photography–which is really rewarding too. I call it being in “Photographer Mind”–where I literally interact with the world differently: a much more visual orientation–which can be very meditative and relaxing. I love it!
Thanks for the information and the discussion! I’ll definitely check the website out. I used to just manually map Google’s My Maps, but it got tedious.
That’s how I started!! I still manually map each walk (which IS kind of a chore) on gmap-pedometer and My Maps (Google). I’m kinda afraid to stop–just incase something goes sideways with CityStrides! 😏
Cities in the US look so tidy with the way streets are laid down. Here’s where I stopped mapping out my routes:
Wow, this thread has been really eye opening. As someone who completely hates exercise (I honestly can’t imagine many other things that are more unpleasant), it had never really occurred to me that people exercised because they genuinely enjoyed it. I always just assumed that everyone else hated it and just forced themselves into it.
one lesson life gave me was:
no matter how fundamentally and universally hated you think something is, there’s always some individuals, communities and/or cultures who enjoy said thing.
the same opposition goes for things you assume everyone loves.
it’s amazing how incredibly complex and diverse humans are.
I do. I do it every day, at a public gym/pool. It was originally a way to maintain or regain “ability” (don’t call it “fitness”, I’m still old and fat). After a while, you start feeling better, and some time after that, start noticing things are getting worse if you don’t do it.
For me, doing something fun, out of the house with others, helps a lot. Spin class, circuit training, water aerobics, having others around doing the same thing is motivating. I worked with a trainer for a while, they helped come up with things I like, for example, one of my favorites is tossing a medicine ball. Don’t ask me why, but I like that.
If you don’t enjoy it, try something else.
