I find that explosive movements (sprints, especially hills or stairs; cleans, push presses, fast deadlifts) are probably the most “joy in movement.” Or a long run on a day with good weather. It feels more like play.
I’m usually the least motivated to do things with a performance anxiety component (lifting for a max, timed mile) and I typically underperform due to nerves. I’m usually less motivated and put out less effort exercising in a group than alone, though it took me a while to realize this. Obviously, I’m also less motivated to exercise outside in bad weather, or to exercise at all if I have a lot of work to do.
Motivations? Mine are sanity & vanity. Sanity: I am a much nicer person and more relaxed on a day I’ve exercised. It’s also a very good cure for gloom. Vanity: appearance and performance. (The thought “I am so much better looking/fitter/tougher than all those sedentary chumps who aren’t exercising.”) Vanity is an excellent motivator when things are going well—unfortunately it’s also an excellent demotivator when things are going badly. (“Ah, what’s the use? I look like hell/I haven’t had a decent squat all year.”) But honestly, I don’t know anyone who’s kept up a serious exercise program in the long term without some kind of vanity.
I find that explosive movements (sprints, especially hills or stairs; cleans, push presses, fast deadlifts) are probably the most “joy in movement.” Or a long run on a day with good weather. It feels more like play.
I’m usually the least motivated to do things with a performance anxiety component (lifting for a max, timed mile) and I typically underperform due to nerves. I’m usually less motivated and put out less effort exercising in a group than alone, though it took me a while to realize this. Obviously, I’m also less motivated to exercise outside in bad weather, or to exercise at all if I have a lot of work to do.
Motivations? Mine are sanity & vanity. Sanity: I am a much nicer person and more relaxed on a day I’ve exercised. It’s also a very good cure for gloom. Vanity: appearance and performance. (The thought “I am so much better looking/fitter/tougher than all those sedentary chumps who aren’t exercising.”) Vanity is an excellent motivator when things are going well—unfortunately it’s also an excellent demotivator when things are going badly. (“Ah, what’s the use? I look like hell/I haven’t had a decent squat all year.”) But honestly, I don’t know anyone who’s kept up a serious exercise program in the long term without some kind of vanity.