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?
I like running, I had a knee injury and I miss running so much. I really have to make myself do weights though.
This is me. I loved running until I hurt my foot. No replacement has done justice
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.
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?”
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
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 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.
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.
I do enjoy lifting weights but I can tell it’s because I’ve been sitting at a desk all day. I think I’d hate it if I had any other job.
