I've lost the "why"?

enigmatic319
enigmatic319 Posts: 7
in Fitness and Exercise
I wrote a really long message. But Instead, I'd like to ask everyone "why", specifically, they exercise?

There's got to be more to it than - "I want to lose weight", which probably means that you're disgusted enough with your appearance to do something about it.

That used to be enough for me, but I really can't think of a motivating enough reason to exercise!

I'd like to hear some of your thoughts.

Many thanks :)
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Replies

  • tryinghard71
    tryinghard71 Posts: 593
    Health
  • Loraah
    Loraah Posts: 111 Member
    I want to be an athlete again
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Because I get to eat more.
  • tryinghard71
    tryinghard71 Posts: 593
    From Mayo Clinic Website.

    Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

    Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.
  • tryinghard71
    tryinghard71 Posts: 593
    Because I get to eat more.

    Amen!!!!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Because I feel better after I do it. Especially when it means I can eat more. :wink:
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    I love to explore so I like to hike mountains that I have never been to and ride my bike to areas just to see what is there. You can see more on a bike or running than in a car.
  • flyingwrite
    flyingwrite Posts: 264
    I want to be fit and strong for the rest of my life. My little brother is 5 and he's counting on me to be. I want people to perceive me as athletic just once in my life. I like how I feel when I've finished: strong and powerful. And I like to eat. The harder I work, the more food I can enjoy.
  • theginnyray
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    - to support my love affair with chocolate
    - sweating is fun
    - gives me something constructive to do
    - has shown me that I'm capable of more than I ever thought
    - allows me to play and play and play with my kid and not get worn out
    - free entertainment for the family (walking/running/biking together)
    - cheaper than therapy

    Need more???
  • helper1112
    helper1112 Posts: 80 Member
    Watching my fathers legs get used less and less and the muscle apathy that is forming there and watching him try to walk, thinking I can't let myself get to that point, because it makes others suffer not just me.
  • sa11yjane
    sa11yjane Posts: 491 Member
    I posted about this yesterday so maybe look back- it was entitled 'point of exercise?' As one who exercise only because I think I have to, if we are all eating back the calories then what's the point? Some days I would rather do no exercise and just eat less food! I will be interested to see what comments you get...
  • paeli
    paeli Posts: 295 Member
    I want to look good, I want to feel good, I want to live long. I like to challenge myself and see progression.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    I love being outdoors. I love the view from the tops of mountains. I love exploring places far off the coast with friends. I love just being able to jump on my bicycle and visit somewhere miles away, just for the sheer joy of being able to do it. I love strapping on a set of snowshoes and just going miles and miles and miles through virgin snow, all alone, hearing snowflakes fall and nothing else but the noise I'm making. I love hopping out of bed in the morning and enjoying the entire day, rather than stumbling and grumbling for 3 hours (OK, I'm not perfect at all this, but I'm getting better)

    Exercise unlocks all of that for me. The crappy tedium staring at the elliptical/treadmill screen or repeating BO-RING weight reps means I can get up that mountain a lot faster with a lot more energy to enjoy the view. I can paddle my kayak further. I can cycle longer, faster. I can do so many more things at 216 and reasonably fit than I could at 280 and gasping after a flight of stairs.

    And I want to live a long time to do all those things. I want to get to know my 9-year-old's future children and maybe her grandchildren. I want to climb a huge mountain when I'm 100 years old. I want to hike the 100 mile wilderness. Maybe, someday, I want to run a marathon. Maybe I'll never do any of those things. But I sure as hell won't if I don't try.

    I'm over 40 years old, and I've wasted most of my life being fat. Some people want a new car for their midlife crisis. I want a new body. Actually, I want some of that time back, but I can't get it. So I'll try and make it.
  • melkneec
    melkneec Posts: 309 Member
    I exercise because I have Lupus and I have friends with Lupus that can't exercise. There are even days when I can't so I am thankful to be able to exercise when I can. Days where I can't even walk some times or even sit. Have you seen that commercial where the little girls says she runs for those who can't. I understand that so much!!

    Health and weight loss too. :)
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    1. Eating more. I love food.
    2. I really love the way my body feels when I'm in the ZONE of exercising regularly. It makes me high on life. And burgers.
  • Bizeebec150
    Bizeebec150 Posts: 88
    I love the way it makes me feel. Powerful, strong and healthy. I have had to incorporate athletic events to keep the why-fire lit. So I will sign up for a half marathon or join a running group, to help me find the why and keep me motivated.
  • jenmsu83
    jenmsu83 Posts: 185 Member
    I find it really relaxing (especially running!), and I get to eat more!!
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    It keeps my depression in check.
    I feel "human" when I do it regularly.
    I have more energy for the rest of my life.
    I love the post workout high.
    I get to eat more!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    To constantly increase strength and power. To be able to run faster and longer.
    Losing weight has little or nothing to do with it.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    I love the way it makes me feel. Powerful, strong and healthy. I have had to incorporate athletic events to keep the why-fire lit. So I will sign up for a half marathon or join a running group, to help me find the why and keep me motivated.

    A few weeks ago, I signed up for the "Trek Across Maine", a 180-mile 3-day cycle ride. That's added a lot of immediacy to the "why?". "Wait, I committed to doing WHAT a month from now?!?!"
  • Jain
    Jain Posts: 861 Member
    I want to be fit enought to do some serious hikes next year when we got to the South Island New Zealand.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    Ironman Arizona 2013
  • Jugie12
    Jugie12 Posts: 282 Member
    I want my own sexy photo spread in the middle of MuscleMag, Muscular Development, Flex and Oxygen Magazine. I want to do a nude photo shoot too, just to show off ;-P

    I want to be confident wearing a sports bra and no shirt.

    I want to look in the mirror and immediately think, "F*** YEAH! You sexy mofo, you..." Expletives should be an appropriate response to how good I am going to look, hehehe
  • determined2lose89
    determined2lose89 Posts: 342 Member
    I exercise to release stress, tension and built up anger. If I don't work out for a few days (like right now, majorly under the weather) I start to get antsy and short tempered...it's my release.
  • Grandysl
    Grandysl Posts: 189
    To keep my job and hear wife wife tell me how sexy I am getting! :wink:
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    Endorphins.


    I am bipolar and exercise helps.

    Plus, it is good for my body. I am no longer trying to lose weight, but exercise is good for me. Period.
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    Because I get to eat more.
    ^^^^ THIS!! I love to eat... I wanna eat carbs and such and get my sweat on. I also wanna build muscles and help fill up some of the excess skin I'm going to have. I don't want to look melted like an old crayon under a carseat. I'm sure I'll still have some Salvador Dali belly kickin, but I wanna tone up what I got while I've still got it.

    Also, I told my kids that I can jump on the trampoline with them when I lose 100 lbs. It was just sucky on my knees when I was heavier. That stuff is hella fun!!!!
  • katy84o
    katy84o Posts: 744 Member
    I like to exercise to be healthy. But I also really enjoy it because it either gets me out of the house and I can get in a zone and not have to socialize with others I can just stay focused and just take some quiet time to think about me.. And when I exercise outside, it's because I love being outdoors, playing frisbee, running around, kayaking or bike riding. I love being outdoors, so why not work up a sweat while completely enjoying myself.
  • ttaylor68913
    ttaylor68913 Posts: 320 Member
    to avoid surgery and prove my doctor WRONG that i can and will do this on my own
  • aztec1966
    aztec1966 Posts: 12
    I find that exercising increases my energy level and I have had fewer colds.

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