Why do YOU workout?

This is a question for all of you. Why do YOU workout? Societal pressure to be thin? Personal goals? Self confidence reasons? Please answer honestly.

Sometimes, I feel as though I am just trying to lose weight to fit the American woman stereotypical expectations...I feel as though my intentions are not of the best. I would like to hear how other people feel! :)

I am working out because I hate getting winded doing everyday activities.  I also have a moderately energetic dog at home who loves taking walks and before I start working out, the walks were laborous and I would hate doing them and therefore procrastinate about taking the dog for a walk.  the flip side is without the walk he can be like a bouncing bean in the house and drive me crazy.  My husband and i are also planning on trying for a baby next year and i want to be in fairly good shape, weight and fitness-wise, so I am starting now to give myself enough time to reach my goal and figure out how to maintain it. 

Yes I love the image of being a slim woman like what I see in the ads, but I would love it more it I only had to keep one size clothes in my closet.  I care less what the number is on the size, though based on today's standards I could probably wear a size 4 once I reach my goal.  It is more important that the clothes fit and that I can wear everything I own at any one time, and not just during my fat or skinny stage.

I work out because it makes me feel strong!

I do not have a weight problem so I have never felt the societal pressure.

I work out because I like the confidence and energy it gives me.

I work out because that time is MINE and totally non negotiable.

I work out because punching a bag  makes the whole world seem better because while I am punching it it is everyone who should have been hit that day for their ignorant behavior.

Do I sound like a twisted NIKE commercial??? :)

To get/stay healthy and live longer.  Becoming a crone is inevitable, but I want to limit the amount of health issues I have.

It keeps my energy level up, and I can play tag with my boys without having to take a break (which is a lot of fun).

It sets a good example for my boys.

The looking better and wearing cuter clothes thing is a side benefit.

I suffer from severe mood swings, mostly depressive.  Yes, I'm overweight but I started exercising to see if I can avoid anti-depressants and/or mood stabilizers.  I was in bed a lot and really weepy and I'm sure it was a major factor in my weight and fitness. 

Exercise combined with taking Yaz has almost completely rid myself of the mood swings and depression.  The only side effect is that I start jonesing for an exercise "fix" on my rest days. 

I figured if I"m going to exercise like mad, I might as well count calories lose weight effectively too.  I can't get too caught in losing weight though, I have to remember that the fight to feel good will be longer than the fight to lose weight. 

I feel good when I workout/exercise.  For an 1- 2 hours on any given day, my problems or other people's problem can wait.  I have come to the realization, I am taking care of myself.  This is my time to be selfish.  Not is a negative way, but to LOVE ME!  On any given day that I am in a class (SPINNING or URBAN REBOUNDING or AFRICAN DANCE) or jogging around Central Park, is a day for me to connect w/myself spiritually and physically. 

As my instructor says, any day to exercise is a day closer, to whatever goal you have set for yourself.

Peace and Love

I started working out about a year because I was feeling old and out of shape - which I was! I could no longer do the hiking, swimming and kayacking that I wanted to do.

Today, working out gives me 300-400 more calories to eat every day and still keep losing weight. Its a great motivator.

In the beginning it was solely to lose weight.  Now it's more about looking and feeling healthy and strong.  I love the fact that a year ago I was huffing and puffing while going on a hike, walking the kids to school or bringing the groceries into the house, and now there's no heavy breathing involved unless my workouts are kick @!#!@. 

At first it was because I wanted to get healthy and remedy some of my medical problems.  These reasons still exist of course but I find it helps me destress too.  I also now love how strong I feel and how much more confident I have become as I've progressed in my activities.

I found out I actually like doing a lot of what I do for exercise.   

Very good question...I definitely work out because my job requires me to maintain a standard of physical fitness. My personal reasons are because I don't want to be labled as "the pretty face but big girl". I hate being called a "big" girl and I hate when guys say I love me a plus-sized woman thinking its a compliment. I love me and embrace who I am totally but I know that I can be better physically. Working out boosts my confidence, especially when I'm able to wear certain things to show off my shape. To be healthier of course, and to be an example/motivation to my family. We are forever weight and health conscious and it feels much better to hear "you ARE losing weight!" everytime i come home to visit vs. "you getting big"...

I originally started working out to lose weight and become a healthier person. Then my father had a triple by-pass surgey almost a year ago and I realized that being healthy and seeing my two sons growup was way more important than just shedding a few pounds. I then discovered other reasons why I work once I started exercising regularly:

I workout because it gives me energy for the rest of the day

It makes me feel good about myself

Sets a good example for my children

As apart of a lifestyle change to become a better person

I work out because it's something I can control.  I can push my self as hard as I want. I can go running when I'm angry at someone and run till I inevitably fall, making my being bugged by them a good thing. I can run when I'm oh so happy and get even happier by running.

I also do it so I don't gain fat and get muscular thighs!(any other girls want the same? aha)

And, so I won't have to pay money for the next size up jeans.

There is a long history of heart problems in my family, and I really don't want to add my name to the list.

One of the biggest compliments I can remember was when I was in charge of the fencing team's shared equipment.  I hauled the two hockey bags full of gear onto my shoulders, and one of the guys looked at me and said, "You're a helluva lot stronger than you have any right to be at your size."  Granted, I was in better shape then, but I'll get back there sooner rather than later.

I work out and diet because I want to feel what I felt a year ago when I was thinner, and ultimately happier. Another big concern is that I want to expand my life, not succumb to diabetes and high blood pressure, or maybe have a heart attack. I have high good cholesterol, but high bad cholesterol, too...and I figure I can get that under control as well. My college fitness course really got me scared of heart attacks and strokes, and how critical the 20's can really be for the rest of your life. I'd rather be 21 and start the dieting suffering, and end up 40 and not have to even make the conscious decision to eat healthy or be active -- it'll just come naturally.

I work out for me.  I have my own personal goals.  I used to weigh 225 lbs and when I did my self confidence was really low, I never actually felt good.  Once I took control of my life and started eating right and exercising I actually felt good about myself and my life.  I made alot of changes to my life that my weight was holding me back from.  It just feels good to exercise and care so much about myself.  I will never allow myself to return to the 225 lb me.

I work out because I like to eat. Working out gives me more flexibility to eat the things I enjoy. I also want to look decent, but I really care about how I look by my wife. She is gorgeous and I like to be in as good as shape as she is. For her it is natural, but for me I've got to work. I also like to be a top performer during our intimate sessions and nothing makes it better than two hot physiques going at it. (Sorry about the raciness)

When I first started waling it was strictly for the purpose of losing weight -- now I work out because I'm addicted to it!! 

I love the high I get after a good cardio workout and I like having people look at me in surprise when I put that 55 lb bag of dog food in my cart with littel effort LOL!!

Working out gives me energy to do everyday stuff!  It is the ultimate energizer, the ultimate motivator.  I don't get winded easily or tired nearly as often.

I also like being able to lift heavy stuff...hopefully when I move in a couple weeks I'll be able to squat down and hoist up that brand new sofa!  Lifting all those boxes will be a lot of work too, especially since I'm moving from the 3rd floor...to another 3rd floor apartment!

And most importantly...it helps me lug up 30+ lbs of groceries from my car.  I don't want to make more than one trip!