Why do you train?

[magdelana]

I wonder how many of us train mostly because of how it will make us look and how many of us train mostly because of how it will help our health.

I will say that being healthier is just a nice benefit of my training, it is not WHY i train. If my bodybuilding lifestyle was terrible to my health then i would stop...but even if it did nothing at all to make me healthier i would still be just so devoted to it. It is the looks that motivate ME to train, not better health.

I feel like sometimes we think it is a dirty secret to admit we train and control our diet and basically eat, breath and live bodybuilding just to look fantastic in a bikini. When people in the store stop, turn around and stare at me when i am wearing a little spagetti strap top and little shorts I love it. I am not thinking of how my heart benefits here.

I am interesting in hearing from everyone else and am hoping maybe others would like to share why THEY train.

 

[magdelana]

I

Perhaps this doesn't apply to me, as I'm training for a PL comp,

I see how my question seems not count in PL. I did not mean to not take that in as well.

 

[Night Fly]

I workout because I'm addicted to the way it feels...first and foremost. I feel awful if I don't workout for a few days....my body tells me that it's time again. Health, looks, and my physical feelings about it come as a bonus.

I am also with Spatts on the fact that I love to see how much my body can handle...I also love the fact that training for strength really helps me with the mental aspect of lifting. I have never been a strong person mentally....always needing encouragement from others...but I am really getting better with that! There are several people on this board who have helped me with that...and I am forever grateful!

 

[b fold the truth]

I'm not really for sure why I love to train. Maybe I am obsessive compulsive or maybe I just really like pain a lot. Why do I love the pain of going and going and going...just one more step...followed by near passing out and dry heaving? I don't know....but I do it every week.

I just wonder how far I can push my body...

B True

 

[manx]

I have really just started training... but I definitely get a sick thrill out of living my life like a lot of people don't. I like being strict and compulsive about adhering to a regimine which is sometimes a pain in the butt, but ultimately makes me feel so much better.

(and, I'll admit it: training makes me feel more virtuous than my lazy boyfriend.)

 

[The_Monster]

Strictly and 100% for the appearance aspect. Health is not my concern, though it may have been at one point.
Im not egotistical by any means... far from it! But the most accurate way to state it is to say "for ego reasons".

I love the attention being big brings.

 

[smoknjilly]

stress relief!!

I learned in college how nothing would help take away being nervous and stressed than a good workout Some people have a drink or 2 or 6 after work to relieve stress..I head right to the gym!

I also have many days where I leave my house at 6AM and do not come home till after 10PM, haveing high endurance reallllly helps out there as well...

Plus, I love muscles

 

[takniteasy]

When I started weight training, I had one specific goal in mind: to strengthen my back. I was recovering from a nasty car accident, ended up with two-level disc fusion and was bound and determined that I would have a strong body. Also, my surgeon told me I would never be able to do it. HA! Proved him wrong

Now however my reasons have changed. More for looking good as I am getting older and working out also helps to maintain my mobility. Mostly for vanity reasons though. I got exactly the kind of attention I wanted this weekend

 

[The Shadow]

I train because I do not want to look like someone who doesn't.

 

[sheez_ripped]

Looks definitely!!!

I started with weights to "change" my body....and it has become addictive....especially once i started training for a show....i'm down below 12% bf now....can wear anything i want...

and i'm with ya magdalena....i love the attention....low cut jeans and itty bitty tops....i like being a hard body...and the looks hubby and i get when we go out....he's 6'-4" 240 and ripped....i'm 5'-9" and 163....with a 6 pack....we stand out....from the Walmart crowd....lol!