I really like lifting. Especially for the last year or so, when I’ve started lifting intelligently and made some massive gains. Stronger than I ever imagined I’d be and confident that gains are still coming–that benching 225 isn’t the end, but the beginning. I look forward to every workout and, well, I just like it. Maybe endorphins are firing or something. Not sure.
Writing this because I hear so many people bitch, whine, and complain about going to the gym like it’s a chore. Was discussing ‘exercise’ with one lady who was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. She said she never met anyone who actually enjoyed going to the gym. I do. Is this odd?
The gym is literally a sanctuary for me…I love being there…it’s such a familiar environment for me that it’s truly like a second home. I even look forward to the 12-min. drive to the gym at 4:45 a.m. when it’s dark and no one else is on the road. It’s extremely calming, and helps me put things into perspective and think about the day ahead. It’s always been like this for me, and now, with two little kids running around the house, I embrace my gym time more than ever.
A couple of weeks ago, I came done with the flue. So I couldn’t train for over a week. I was all giggly when I finally made it back to the weightroom and had to restrain myself or I would have skipped walking in.
I LOVE lifting. Definitely the reason why I hate travelling and all my nutritional choices are based on me going to the gym and improving myself. I’m at college but when I go back to my awesome gym back home, I get all excited and kinda giddy. I won’t hang out with people if that time is reserved for lifting. I prioritize lifting and it is #1 in my life, and yes, even before homework. Without the gym, I would crumble. Not only do I love the effects of working out, but can’t get enough of the burn while lifting and counting rest periods exactly. I treat lifting like its my job and will not let anything get in between me and my gym. It’s just my thang!
[quote]lesotho72 wrote:
Writing this because I hear so many people bitch, whine, and complain about going to the gym like it’s a chore. Was discussing ‘exercise’ with one lady who was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. She said she never met anyone who actually enjoyed going to the gym. I do. Is this odd?
[/quote]
You are not alone. I enjoy lifting by itself. I don’t need motivation to go to the gym. Knowing that I’ll be there fighting the weights is exciting, and thinking that I’ll improve a little on my deadlift/bench/squat even more so.
I love it most of the time, but there are times when I really don’t feel like it, but do it anyway, because I know I’ll feel better afterwards.
There are the few occasions where I get lazy and miss a few days (a few days more than my off days) and I start to get pissed at myself, then go right back into it.
Luckily that’s not very often.
It’s a hell of a lot better than I used to be. I used to get psyched for about 2 months, then fizzle out for a month or 2, get pissed, and start the cycle over again.
I think I’ve gotten to the point where, if I stop for a long period of time, I would lose a lot of what I worked hard for, and that scares the shit out of me enough to keep me going.
[quote]gottatrain wrote:
The gym is literally a sanctuary for me…I love being there…it’s such a familiar environment for me that it’s truly like a second home. I even look forward to the 12-min. drive to the gym at 4:45 a.m. when it’s dark and no one else is on the road. It’s extremely calming, and helps me put things into perspective
Amen. I feel the same way. The gym is about the only place I feel whole. If that makes sense.
I even smile when I see your name. I think a lot of us feel the same, and that sums it up…I DO GottaTrain.
I was laughing yesterday at the gym, and singing the refrain “I need my fix, gotta get it!” (If you don’t know the song, it’s “sex is on my mind”, but it also works great for training!
Sure makes people wonder what you’re up to…
[quote]lesotho72 wrote:
Writing this because I hear so many people bitch, whine, and complain about going to the gym like it’s a chore. Was discussing ‘exercise’ with one lady who was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. She said she never met anyone who actually enjoyed going to the gym. I do. Is this odd?
[/quote]
People who don’t enjoy exercise aren’t usually very good at it. Bludgers, lazy bastards and lay abouts. You simply can’t beat the feeling of a good workout.
If I don’t go to the gym for a few days, I get all mean and edgy, like unreleased tension is building up inside me. The only person who enjoys me going to the gym more than me is my wife.
[quote]Massif wrote:
lesotho72 wrote:
Writing this because I hear so many people bitch, whine, and complain about going to the gym like it’s a chore. Was discussing ‘exercise’ with one lady who was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. She said she never met anyone who actually enjoyed going to the gym. I do. Is this odd?
People who don’t enjoy exercise aren’t usually very good at it. Bludgers, lazy bastards and lay abouts. You simply can’t beat the feeling of a good workout.
If I don’t go to the gym for a few days, I get all mean and edgy, like unreleased tension is building up inside me. The only person who enjoys me going to the gym more than me is my wife.[/quote]
I’ve noticed this too. It’s like a withdrawl symptom for me also.
I tried taking a week off last week. Couldn’t do it. I ended up doing pushups every day just to keep me sane. It’s kind of sick, actually…but some folks play music, some work, some watch TV religiously. I lift.
I figure, its one of the few things I can do that really benefits all other aspects of my life all the time.
I love it. it’s funny, cause i became addicted to it. When i first started, it was just something to do for basketball, to get ready for the season and what not. Then I started making gains and it was like, whoa, i’m really accomplishing something. Soon enough basketball became the thing that got in the way of my lifting:) All the running during winter cut in on my precious bulking time!
It really is addicting making strength and size gains. Every time I reach a goal, a new one is set immediatly, and I can’t wait to surpass that one. I don’t think i’ll ever stop, especially with some of these 40 and 50 year olds on this board still making gains. I’m gonna try to prove the whole genetic ceiling thing is a myth!
I was taking a psychology final this morning and all the sudden I realized that I couldn’t concentrate on the final. My quads were still screaming from Aaa to grass squats the night before. It was like a sense of accomplishment and it took me a good five minutes to get back into the mode of doing the final. That is why I love lifting, I can get lost in the sense of accomplishment that I am making myself better.
I love lifting, but I hate going to the gym. Right now I go to a Gold’s and I don’t like the environment.
Back in the good ole days I worked out at the gym in my high school. No air conditioning, old rusty equipment, no one else around . . . it was fantastic.
Also I loved training to failure on EVERY single set I did. I might start doing that again just for fun, even if it does kill my progress.
Anyone else here like me have the most fun and best workouts when there’s no air conditioning it’s a little TOO hot?
I enjoy lifting but for me it’s become part of my life like brushing my teeth or eating breakfast. I can’t imagine stopping.
It’s weird. I think I’m a liftaholic.
Anyone who has been lifting for 20 years or more knows what I’m talking about. Sometimes you lift to make progress and sometimes you lift just because it’s become a habit. It doesn’t matter either way. It would just feel wrong never to lift again.
Shit I’m freaking myself out. I need a fix now. Chest and tri’s…yea that’ll do it, chest and tri’s right now.
Edit; just finished my workout and am sitting here sipping on my protein shake. The feeling of well being is definately worth the hard effort during the workout and is also a moment when I know I deserve to relax a bit. I really didn’t give it much thought before.
