Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Is it Vanity or Health?

Do you work out or when you hear the word "gym" do you think someone is referring to a guy (Jim). If you do work out what motivates you to exercise and stay true to your regimen? Is it vanity or personal health? Do you work out to off-set personal health decisions (e.g. you run so you can treat yourself to desserts or go out drinking and not feel guilty?)

I'm curious what motivates you and the people I see regularly at my gym each week. No matter how hard I work out, I'm not going to have a body like these guys so my own personal motivation can't be all vanity... can it?

Oy am I really that shallow? I hope not.

11 comments:

Nick said...

I am not the gym type, i prefer to do sports outside like swimming or running with a friend

Anonymous said...

At my age (58) it's a combo of vanity and good health habits. And I like the social aspect of the club. The one I go to has a community of long-term members who are friendly and supportive

Breenlantern said...

I work out to lose weight, stay healthier, prevent more weight gain and theoretically to develop a body I'm not ashamed of, but I don't really believe that is ever going to happen. Mostly it's a "to not get fatter" motivation.

Greg said...

My motivation was a little heart episode a few years ago. I've since lost 20 lbs. but still need to lose about another 10-15.

Anonymous said...

Oh vanity is definitely a part of it for me, not that the results I get warrant it. But I do also really feel better overall when I'm working out regularly. Plus, being in my late 40s (gulp) I foresee the full avalanche of late middle age impending, when it gets harder to reverse bad health directions. I see guys my age and older who still look fit and sexy and I'd rather be like them than the alternative.

Rob from VA said...

For me, it's both vanity and health.

Vanity because I have wanted a six-pack since sixth grade and never really achieved it. Also, I think if I looked a certain way, I would be a lot more confidant (my confidence being quite deficient).

Health because Diabetes runs in my family (and obesity is a contributing factor thereof). Also, I don't want to have a heart attack or a stroke.

-Rob

Wonder Man said...

it's a bit of both

Mack said...

Jim? Who's that? :)

I don't really do the gym anymore for a number of reasons, but I do lift weights and work out at home.

It's a combination of all of the above. I want to look good, feel good and burn extra calories to support my sugar habit.

The line is when you are working out to the point it's unhealthy, like aggravating an injury. Then, it's just stupid vanity

Corve DaCosta said...

I was slim from the womb never had a health problem but I do see the need to lead a healthy lifestyle like working out.

I am not a gym junkie but I watch YouTube vids of gym junkies and look at photo blogs for inspiration. God knows I need them. lol

Tony (LT) said...

I'm not so much into lifting weights. For me staying in shape mostly comes from playing basketball and some heavy lifting at work. But I like the look of being in shape, but I also lie the way I feel. So, I don't know whether to pick vanity or health.

WranglerMan said...

A little bit of both. I want to stay healthy, but I also want to look good in my underwear! Just picture it...a fit, lean, confident guy in red boxer-briefs! Can't help it red boxer-briefs or red briefs get me all the time!