What Kind of Exerciser Are You?
July 15, 2008 by Kelly Turner
Filed under Fitness
I had a client tell me recently that she had reached the point in her training where she was now excited to come in and workout.
As a trainer, this is one of the most satisfying things you can hear.
Its exciting, not because I’m glad she enjoys her time with us, but because exercise for her has switched from being something she has to do into something she likes to do.
Some people seem to believe that there are two types of people in this world: those that love to exercise, and those that hate it, and that there is no hopping ship. Those that hate exercise seem to see those that love it as some weird minority that thrives on pain and exhaustion, who gets up every morning and runs 8 miles, lives in their workout clothes, have no lives or relationships and never lack motivation. Its not true.
These non-lovers just haven’t reached the point in their fitness journey where they stop thinking of exercise as a punishment and start seeing it as something they are doing just for themselves.
So, I bet those of you not exactly enjoying your workouts are waiting anxiously to hear when it will be your turn to fall in love with fitness, or how much longer you have to wait.
You are going to hate me.
Because its up to you.
I know: GROAN.
It may take something outside of you, like meeting a goal, or getting a compliment, but more often than not, its going to take a mental switch.
I have found that most people that hate exercise are focusing on the negative: I’m tired, I’m sweaty, I smell, I can’t lift as much weight as I would like, This whole working out thing is cutting into my TV time.
Those that love to exercise see it for it’s positives: I feel strong, I am challenging myself, I have more energy, This is my “me” time, I’m taking control of my health and my body, I’m shaping myself for the better.
So I ask you…
What kind of exerciser are you? If you are struggling to enjoy your workout what can you do today to help fix that?
Next time, even if you don’t believe it yet, think positively about your next workout. You may be surprised how it changes your attitude.
Great post; great questions! I can’t say I always *love* working out, but I always love what it does for me. Some days it’s simply something I have to do, but most days it’s a great way to unwind, de-stress, and build confidence. Plus, if it’s one of those cardio-only days, I can hit the gym and watch TV while I pound the elliptical trainer into submission. :)
I haven’t been to this blog in a while so I had some catchin up to do. I agree with Cammy this was a great post. I am one of the weirdos who loves to exercise and plans her workouts so I can do as much as I can. But there are days when it is hard because I don’t want to get up early but I do because I know how much stronger and how much better I will feel. I enjoy having this time to myself and I love going to workout and talk to the people that work out with me weekly. So to answer your post I am one of the crazy individuals who plans workouts (looks forward to planning her workouts) and working out. I don’t look at it as a chore just something that I am lucky to do.
This is so true!
I really enjoy working out on the whole, and find that those workouts that I don’t enjoy are usually because I’m in a bad negative mental state. Once I shake that off and focus on me, it’s all good.
I used to “hate” working out. I would do it just because I knew I should. Now I actually enjoy working out. It’s my “me time” (like you said) and I like knowing that I’m doing something good for my body/health and it puts me in the right state of mind for the rest of the day. I love getting up in the morning and getting a good, sweaty workout in before starting the day. It’s nice to know that by 7am I’ve probably done more physical activity and sweated more than most people will all day ;)
In high school, it was all about working out “because I had to,” but in forcing myself to exercise, I realized I actually do enjoy it. Now I get plenty of crazy looks when I tell people I actually plan other activities around my daily workout. But it’s not because I’m crazy – it’s because working out makes me happy and energized enough to actually PARTICIPATE in said other activities.
This article is dead on!!
I am a former loather of weight lifting. Blah,blah,blah, I don’t want to get big, blah,blah,blah, cardio is so much better because I want to lose a few pounds, blah,blah,blah. And then I just made myself start doing it routinely. And then I started to get compliments!!! And now I have come to love the feeling after lifting hard and seeing all those sexy lines on my arms. (and the compliments definitely don’t hurt!)
Cammy- You cant have motivation 100% of the time and it seems like people that hate exercise feel like those who enjoy it do. im a personal trainer and sometimes im just like, you know what? i dont wanna and you cant make me.
sirenjess- get reading!!
the workouts arent what make second guess wanting to workout, its the time commitment/drive/shower situation, etc. that tend to make me second guess wether i really want to go. there have been plenty of times that ive regretted not going to the gym, but i have NEVER regretted going.
Jenn- cardio is what does it for me. If im like “this sucks i dont want to do this” its the hardest workout of my life. If im thinking about how good i feel or how strong im feeling, it just flies by.
Justy2003- man, i miss wokring out in the morning. it gives me so much energy for the rest of the day, and i feel like im not so crunched for time in the afternoon. but i enjoy, you know, getting more than 4 hours of sleep a night, so i push it back to the afternoon, which is a good way to unwind after work.
Sweets and Sweats- im embarrassed to admit this but i used to refuse to work my upper body because i didnt want my arms to get big (they were sticks.) I felt a little uneven as i carry most of my weight on the bottom, so decided to give it a shot to even me out and FELL IN LOVE. I love seeing my muscles as i lift but i also love how i can carry in all the groceries in one load.
So many people comment that I am “so good” or “crazy” for working out every morning. For me, it sets the tone for my whole day. I feel so much better when I do it. It is not about something I have to do, but something I want to do. If I’ve missed a few days for whatever reason I start getting cranky. Exercise is the perfect way to clear your head, reduce stress and do something wonderful for yourself!
Site looks great!!! What kind am I? The get on the elliptical and watch the food network make yummy, high caloric eats kind so I feel like I’ve splurged. Get’s the endorphins going. I like to be busy, a real beach girl/water type sports enthusiast. Get bored easily.
Thinking positive can change everything. I usually love exercising- sometimes I’m not in the mood but if I drag myself into it I’ll enjoy it once I get going. And its gotta be the right kind of activity!
I’m also one of those people who “made the switch”. I never HATED exercising, but it wasn’t something I did for FUN. Now? Now I am in LOVE with it. I love getting sweaty and stinky and tired. I love pushing myself and seeing the results, and even enjoy feeling a little sore the next day every so often. :) I love knowing that I am strong and healthy and can kick some ass now (or run away if necessary!). LOL
Great post Kelly!
Lori- i get super cranky too. i threw my back out not too long ago, so no working out AT ALL for a while. i was suprised my boyfriend didnt break up with me.
flipflops- i always watch the food network at work when i workout, which people yell at me about, but i love food and idont have cabel at home, so too bad.
sagan- same here. i always tell myself i can stop if i want, i just have to start. once i get going, im fine.
chandra- as a trainer im supposed to say “just because you arent sore, doesnt mean you didnt get a good workout” but the gymrat in me says “I LOVE BEING SORE.”
Very true point, thats why I’m just sore once in awhile. :) Well, now anyway, when I first started I was sore ALL THE TIME and hated it! LOL
Absolutely agree. I think it a matter of perspective and a matter of what results you are getting. You will of course focus on the negative, if you’re not getting what you want out of the effort.
Great post. (and yep you did make me feel better dear. Thanks)
I am definitely an exercise lover but I wasn’t always. I hated to sweat. I hated to mess up my hair. As a black woman, the hair issue is a *big* deal because I can’t just wash and go. What I hated the most was that I felt out of shape and physically unable to keep up. No one likes to feel like a failure. I started to do cardio/weight workouts at home (The Firm) and somehow fell in love. At home, it didn’t matter what I wore or if I needed to pause the tape to take a break. I got stronger and fitter and even moved on to (gasp!) pure cardio. I got over the sweating thing really quick once I saw how much more my fitness level increased by adding some straight up cardio to the mix. Now you can’t stop me from working out!