I used to think of the gym as exercise. Everything I did was considered working out or exercise. The elliptical, running, weight lifting, it was all exercise.
And because it was exercise, I got burnt out quickly.
After a few months of exercising, I would get tired and lose motivation quickly. Let’s face it. Exercising is hard work. It’s a pain in the ass (figuratively and literally). You have to physically and mentally exert yourself, you usually end up smelling bad, and you’re most likely sore the next day.
For me, it’s hard to maintain momentum when I consider my physical activities as exercise. The word exercise does not inspire me. It does not make me want to go to the gym or go out and run 10 miles. It feels like a chore, a dread.
But it’s different now. I don’t exercise any more.
I train.
Instead of getting my workouts in, I get my training in. I’m always training for something, whether it’s for a marathon, a triathlon, or even just a plain ol’ pull-up. There is always a reason for all the training that I do. There is always a bigger goal to achieve every single time I step into the gym, every single time I go for a run or a swim. Training helps me set these goals. Exercise did not.
When I train, I feel like I exercise with a purpose. It makes me feel accomplished and powerful, strong and invincible. If I can do half of a pull-up, I’m satisfied and beaming for the rest of the day. I go into the gym, and I already have a plan of attack because everything I do is for a specific reason.
I train MY MIND – to be more disciplined, to be more controlled, to be more patient.
I train MY ENDURANCE – to be able to swim longer, to be able to run farther, to be able to sprint faster.
I train MY STRENGTH – to be able to do 10 real push-ups in a row, to be able to do 1 unassisted pull-up, to be able to do 1 cartwheel, 1 handstand.
I train for myself because it makes me feel better, stronger, and faster each and every day.
I couldn’t find the same motivation when I thought of my workouts as exercise. It just left me dreading the gym. It left me feeling obligated instead of willing. But with training, I never get stuck in a rut. There’s always something to strive for. I can always be better.
There might not be anything to exercise for, but there will always be something to train for.
Do you differentiate between exercise and training?
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Female. 25 years old. Chinese. Cook. Foodie. UCLA grad. Traveler. Musician. Scuba diver. GWU Law. Runner.
You hit the nail on the head with this one, but you’ll discover with experience that you’ll need breaks from training too, or else it’ll get as boring and bad as “exercise.”
Definitely agree with the breaks. I think of rest and recovery as part of the training process. It’s essential. I’ll never get stronger or faster if I don’t give my body time to recover and rebuild.
I think when I think of training, it just naturally creates a balance in my head. I could never achieve this kind of balance when I thought of working out as exercise.
I love this post. When I started running and I had a purpose (a 5k at that point) it totally changed my relationship with “exercise” It was no longer something I dreaded, mind you I got in an hour long workout most days for a year and I hated every minute of it, but now it’s just what I do, I have a goal it makes it interesting and exciting. I think this winter will be hard when there is nothing on the horizon to give me that umph.
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You can always make something on the horizon! Maybe it’s a cartwheel. Maybe it’s a pull-up. Something to do in the house
It might even be that 100 push-up challenge (which I’m contemplating attempting…or modifying to fit my own needs).
I am DYING to do a cartwheel though. I look ridiculous every single day, but it’s on my list of things to do! Sounds silly, but cartwheeling trains your core and upper body strength like no other!
What a great concept! I love this thinking, Jess!
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Isn’t it nuts when you have that mental shift?! LOVE it. Made all the difference to me.
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I’m not sure I’ve ever really thought about it, other than the C25k “training.” I think having more goals would make me more focused during my work outs. For the most part, I get exercise-ADD and do a little bit of everything to keep from getting bored. I know my endurance is getting better, but I don’t know how much progress I make in general since I’m always jumping from activity to activity.
I definitely got exercise ADD, which is why I could never stick with my plan. I could never lose all the weight and keep it off because it was always exercise, which always ended up getting boring because there was never a bigger goal there. It was always just…go on the elliptical for an hour.
Now, it’s more like swim because you’re a beast and are going to rock a triathlon. Run because you’re going to marathon. Cycle because you’re going to Century. And eat because you need to fuel
I think when there’s a purpose to the exercise, it’s easier to avoid the ADD.
I really do think you undermine yourself though, Lizzie! I BET you you’ve made way more progress than you believe (look at C25K, for crying out loud!)
I really like your theory. I have to say, now that you mention it, I’m more driven when there is a particular event or occasion that I want to be fit for. I think I need a new project after reading how this has helped you. Thanks for the great idea!
This is a great way to think about it! I am having such a hard time getting to the gym, even for yoga! I feel like it is probably because it does sound terrible. I HATE smelling gross, and being sore the next day definitely sucks. I need some other form of motivation besides just a monthly bill. Thanks for this post. I will keep in mind that there’s more to be had than just mindless minutes on the treadmill!
Yeah…I can’t exercise for the sake of it. I did get to go rock climbing at a gym in St. Louis when I went back home. I was wicked sore afterwards and thought that I could easily go there 4-5 days a week to climb, climb, and climb and get a great workout in as well.
I LOVE this! The difference is so mental, for me. When I pick a goal (5K, 10K, whatever) and then build a PLAN and then EXECUTE that plan for the purpose of achieving the goal, I am much more likely to stick with the plan and turn in some amazing performances at the gym/on the road/whatever. Thanks for sharing the difference for you!
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You are so right. And for training, you must have a plan. You can’t just go to the gym and THEN decide what are you gonna do. You must know what you’ll be doing, how many reps with how much weight. And It’s has to be a little extra weight or reps than the last time. And to do that, you must keep a log. What you did last time, so you can plan what you’ll do next time. My two cents.
I totally loved your determination. I was just as determined back then when I was making ways to lose weight, and I was relieved that I followed the Essential Weight Loss Handbook’s tips on weight loss. Without determination, I wouldn’t have followed everything, and I would have just given up. But right now, I am fit and slim and perfectly happy. Have a great training, as I will!
Hey stranger! If I talk to someone about my weight loss I usually say I exercise if they ask what I’m doing. If it’s me bringing it up I usually say I’m training for something. don’t know why the diff but don’t worry about it either. It is easier to get out there moving when you’ve signed up and paid for a race.
no, i dont. exercising is fun to me so i might as well do it. i enjoy my exercise classes and my time at the gym and when i get bored, i stop. with that attitude, i tend to go 5 x a week, which is a pretty good average. (weekdays). i dont really want to train because a race or anything like that holds no interest for me. i just like the feeling i get while im exercising and listening to some good music and getting the stress out. yay gym high!