Just back from another solid strength training session at the Y. I'm not going to lie. Yes, I do a lot of weight lifting and that helps me stay lean, but I do it because I enjoy it. I enjoy the feeling that things like weight lifting and walking and cycling give me. You feel the endorphins that come out, you know, just by moving your body. I really enjoy that relaxing feeling I get at the end of a lifting or cardio session.
Ultimately I train these arms of mine not so much because I need them to get up a mountain or to paddle out and catch a wave or even to hold a grandbaby, but ultimately because I enjoy the process. And in that sense, exercise kind of happens on autopilot because, as I'm sure you're aware, getting lean is the byproduct of doing things you enjoy.
Enjoyment is crucial for athletic success, my friend. It not only fuels intrinsic motivation but acts as an antidote to burnout, fatigue, and self-doubt. It drives long-term dedication and increases energy and effort investment.
Joy in training is essential.