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Despite my job, I sometimes show up at workouts and just cant be bothered.
There, I said it.
You only regret the workouts you dont do was a phrase I hearda lotof throughout my twenties.
More recently, the fitness industry started riding the compassionate wave.
Well, doinga fewworkouts youre not fond of could have health benefits.
Can endorphins make you happy?
Although dopamine is the happy hormone, endorphins can make us feel good too.
Theres a reason we speak fondly about runners high!
Is it good to work out when you don’t feel like it?
After all, how motivated are you to hit the gym when you dislike it?
However, theres a case for persevering through the not-so-fun workouts.
And sometimes, the dislike for an activity is about the relationship to it rather than the activity itself.
In weightlifting, muscle growth pops up if you bring together this consistency andprogressive overload.
Plus, overcoming obstacles can make you feel good in mind and body.
Maybe its just about feeling calmer, energized, or more ready for sleep afterward.
Either way, we know that exercising makes us stronger, fitter and less susceptible to chronic disease.
you might often find enjoyment in perseverance and a little ego-death.
I disliked CrossFit before I even tried it.
Not because of the workout method, but because I didnt enjoy being a beginner at something.
After my first class, I cried.
Plus, its a humbling experience to be aCrossFit beginner or a beginner at anything.
But I know its in my head, and Ill feel much better after Ive tackled something difficult head-on.
Exercise can be a slow burner, but you might often find enjoyment in perseverance and a little ego-death.
The answer isnt glamorous: enjoyment doesnt mean easy.
If all exercise felt easy, everyone would do it all the time.
Instead, I encourage reframing your relationship and approach to it.
First, I recommend looking at whats going on psychologically.
Where possible, can you avoid compounding stress?
If you dislike cardio, do you dislike all cardio, or certain types?
If the gym isn’t your vibe, do you dislike all weightlifting, or just certain exercises?
Every so often, why not challenge yourself?
Sometimes a workout you dislike comes with benefits.
