Do women really work out mainly for the male gaze and acceptance?

[Anonymous]

I know everyone is different and I'm generalizing but many girls seem to work out without deriving any joy from it.
It's so sad that everybody in the gym (men included) wants so badly to be accepted that they're willingly doing something that they hate.

[Masie]

Okay, so I am not hugely into working out. I don't do it like a nut. I jog on occasion. I am very active in general. I have always been in shape. It may just be genetics, lifestyle, and the little I do.

I don't do it for male attention by any means. I am not interested in dating right now. So I don't do it for anyone other than me and my own health.

[lilBigPotato]

I don't like going to the gym but I do it for myself. I want to look into the mirror and be happy, I want to feel energetic and be in good health. What other people think comes second.

[kitty_404]

Plenty of people don't enjoy every workout. That doesn't mean the goal is external validation. People also dislike studying, going to work, or brushing their teeth sometimes, yet they do those things because they value the long-term benefits. Exercise can be the same.

[SaoirseS]

We work out to stay in shape and hopefully live longer.

[Abbycado]

God no. I do it for myself and to stay healthy.

[beenherebefore]

I work out because the older I get the more I feel how important it is to stay active. I have PT sessions and the studio I go to is mostly for women.

[Nikki1989]

I don't know anyone who works out, thankfully. That level of insecurity is sad.

[sawno]

Whats with you and assuming healthy things are because of insecurity?

[jazzy34]

No. I work out for health and wellness.