When I was a little kid, I used to be very ill. I had a bad immunity. As a result, my friends became better than me in sports and I got a hormonal imbalance because of over medication and no physical activity.
I got cured when I entered in my teens. I had (I can say) good genes but because of environmental and lifestyle factors, my body was pretty much ruined already and I didn't have such skills to compete with my friends. Then I switched to video games and anime, there was a pressure to achieve by studying harder too, so I was just caged in four walls.
In my late teens, I realised that I'm not doing good. This is not how is should be. So I decided to workout. Unfortunately, I got ingrown toenail problem and because of that, I'd not run for ~2.5 years. It got treated last year and now I joined gym. Because of eating fast food every day, I became obese.
Now, I lost 3 inches of waistline in just two months. I'm just 2 inches away from my desired waistline. I'm sure I'll hit that. I'm lifting weight and my trainers say I'm doing fairly well.
Now, if I ask myself, "are you happy now?". I'd say "no". Because so many years have been wasted. The body I've now, should be possessed years before. At this age, I'd have done way better than I'm doing it now. If you look at me, you'd find me normal, but deep down I know that I'm not perfect or whatever it should be. I never worked to look good or to attract ladies, I could do that with my personality and other things but to me, working means getting stronger, lifting heavier, jumping farther and running faster. I want to bury my past, bury those viruses those diseases for good. I want to live longer like a hundred years. Could I make it? I dunno, but I'll try my best. It's late, but it's not too late. The tension is always there. That's why I don't feel that good. But I got to say, I'm getting better and better, day by day. Personal best every day will get me to the world's best someday.
●I was always confident about myself. So, same.
●The changes I experienced is that now I'm eating just healthier food and now, I've a proper schedule for things. No time to waste.
●It's obvious that you'll become more energetic by working out.
●I'm still undecided about focus. I try to workout daily, but I still have cheat days and I skip some days. But still I'm getting results. We should be happy but stay loyal to ourselves. Dedication is good as long as you're comfortable.
Verdict: I'm still searching happiness. Physically, I'm getting better but mentally, it's so exhausting and bad thoughts come to mind so often. Maybe someday I'll get the satisfaction I desire. If I failed, at least I can say I tried and if I succeeded, I can rest in peace.
Everything in my life improved
E v e r y t h i n g
Lol, tempted to vote D tho :p
Hahaha I knew what your answer was gonna be xD
Working out definitely impacted my life positively!
After the initial "body shock" lol my energy levels have soared and i think confidence goes hand in hand with that because my mind is less fatigued and far more focused. Confidence also increases because I feel more successful (in myself) as I am able to do more and complain less.
I have a toddler and the constant Organizing takes it's toll but with my increased energy It's become so much easier to keep up (mentally as well as physically). That makes me feel better as a mom and a person.
Making the decision to workout out daily and change my eat habits lead to this.
https://imgur.com/WdYFosM.jpg
Which definitely lead to more confidence. But more than that is that I physically felt better. I had more energy and even my mood swings were down. I felt good.
I lost motivation for awhile due to life kicking my ass, but it's slowly returning. I can't wait to get back to feeling good. Plus I have a ways to go weight wise. But I'm proud of how far I've come.
Wow amazing job! You look great 😍👍🏼
@ElissaDido thank you, pretty!
Question: How did you STAY happy and motivated?
Personally, I decided that it's enough and left fast food for good and started working out. I lost 3 inches of waistline in first three months and that's when I skipped a lot of days and had 2-3 cheat days per month.
But now, even after the good results, I don't like the life I live. Maybe I'm healthier and in better shape, but I don't love what I eat and stay exhausted/sleepy because of that workout + pushing the limits seems tougher now.
Do you compare yourself with others? Do you have a certain time limit to achieve your goals? Do you think being better is better than being happy?
Thanks for any help you could provide :)
@YourFutureEx I used to constantly compare myself to others. And it just made me more unmotivated and depressed. So I cut back on it a lot. Do I still do it? From time to time. But I try to focus more on myself. I do put time limits on my goals, but most of my goals are just mini goals inside of a big goal. So either way I look at it I'm still making progress towards the main goal. And for me, being better includes being happy. I'm striving to be happy period. Happy now, at my current weight so that I can happier when I get down to my goal. They key is to not vase my happiness off of that. There is so much more put there to be thankful and happy for then just the size of my jeans. I had to realize that before I could truly start to be happy. If you're unhappy with your routine, then revamp it. You should be pushing yourself, but you shouldn't be overworking yourself. I suggest some soul searching. It always helps to center me when I feel off.
Thank you so much :)
@YourFutureEx no problemo my friend.
@CHARismatic110 Wow you look beautiful, I need your motivation I have been struggling with gaining weight for years, its my fast metabolism it never goes away. Do you have any tips, please. They'd be greatly appreciated take care :)
@AnayaWilliams thank you! I'll PM you so we don't blow up Ale's notifications lol
@CHARismatic110 Okay gotcha lol :)
Opinion
31Opinion
yessss, I've definitely come a long long way in terms of confidence ever since I started working out regularly. Much higher confidence in myself not only physically, but mentally as well.
I feel much more up to facing any challenges that may pop up, including fears I've had since I was a child. Which goes hand in hand with my having gotten much happier overall, less anxious, etc..
i can honestly say I feel the same since I first started working out.
I don't feel any different when I'm out in public, just stronger. thats about it, and that was my only intent :D
I get most of my work out from yoga and the circuit training / padwork / sparring I do when I do martial arts. I'd like to spend more time doing cardio and weightlifting but unfortunately I only have the time and muscular recovery periods to do so much. But yes, I have seen a SIGNIFICANT difference in my energy levels as well as the way I deal with things and people in my personal life. In short, exercise of any kind will make you a healthier more rounded person and help you overcome the hurdles life throws at you.
I've always been athletic because I started dancing since I was old enough to walk, but I love the feeling after a long day at the studio when my legs ache but it's a good ache, like that is exactly the way they should feel. My balance is also really good because I'm on my toes like 80% of the time.
I feel good. My only regret is that I could have transitioned slowly like so many people have instead of being born into the lifestyle. I probably would be able to explain in greater detail how healthy I feel if I had experience on the opposite end of the spectrum.
I work out and I've experienced these NEGATIVE changes in the past:
A few years ago I was in the best shape of my life. Thin, muscular and 100% unhappy because it took way too much effort to keep it all going. It really was mentally exhausting; the strict diet, the rigid exercise and the mystery back pain that always reared its head in some way or another. I didn't last long.
Unfortunately a year or two later I ballooned. Captain Obeseman! I'm working on getting back into shape again, trying to be more relaxed about it this time.
This summer my family is going to Yosemite so I started working out so I am not exhausted when I am hiking. And I can focus on the beautiful nature and take lots of photos through out the hikes instead of breathing hard and taking all the water. Hopefully I get picked to climb Half Dome (it basically works like a lottery) if I get picked, I am going to climb Half Dome even if it kills me because I need more adventure and challenges in my life. My mom does not think I can do it because I was the laziest teenager ever. Since I have started working out, I have noticed changes. Nobody around me has noticed, but I have. Like my clothes fit better, I have energy, sleep better, get up in the morning when I am supposed to, less anxiety, etc. I remember in high school I always failed the flexibility test but now, I am six inches from being able to touch my toes.
Sometimes. Definitely more confident then I was before. I'm one of those ectomorphs and I just hated feeling weak and skinny so I decided to start lifting weights. I know I'm much stronger than I ever was cause I could never lift as much as I do now than ever before and I even recently just broke through a plateau which feels really good.
But there are still days when I feel so frail and weak for no reason. I think it's just a leftover result of how I used to always be. Mental habits/insecurities are really really tough to break.
I've been athletic and fit all my life (hockey, baseball, and martial arts). Since I've started running, doing yoga and working out more, I feel fitter and healthier.
But I haven't felt any more confident with my body though. And I'm constantly striving to cope with mental health issues. Nothing serious but it's something I'll be working on for the rest of my life.
Why have you never been confident with your body (if I may know)?
It's not that I'm NOT confident with my body, it's just that I haven't felt an increase in confidence, if that makes sense. I'm sort of neutral about it, I guess.
But some things that have made me feel bad about it over the years have been (you asked!): being tall and skinny like a beanpole (I'm 6'1"), boobs that are way too small for my size (now I just don't care anymore, lol), a butt that is nearly flat, having to shop for plus sized clothing in many stores just to get the length even though I'm not fat (so they're often baggy af), guys not being attracted to me because I was taller than them (and some called me ugly to my face cause of it. And even to some guys on this site if you're over 5'10" you're un-dateable/unattractive), people in HS thinking I was actually transgendered (LMFAO), surgical scars from past operations (they're starting to fade now though)... things like that. I think I've whined enough, lol. I've come to terms with those things and am in a better place now.
Yeah but you found the love of yr life... so, those things can go fuck themselves. lol <3
I'm glad you're feeling much better with yourself, and like @redeyemindtricks you found the love of your life, many people would kill for that, so it all ended good :)
@redeyemindtricks @AleDeEurope: I've known him for ten years so he was always there but it was just inconvenient for us to be together until he came to Canada for good. As I've gotten older I've realized that many of the things I worried about are superficial, but there are many other younger girls and women who are going through the same things. Wondering if they're too tall, if they have the right body, all of that.
At around age 20 I decided to change everything about the way I look... in just a few short year I can't even believe the changes I've gone through... both by the way I look, and the way I act... when you start to feel good about your looks, it shows in everything you do
How long did it take you to start seeing results?
6 months to start seeing, but about 12-18 months is when I started looking back and laughing at the changes
oh HELL YEAH. that's actually the main reason i started. i remember just thinking to myself "i want to be happy" rather than 'fit' or 'sexy' or whatever.
feeling and seeing the changes after the hard work is so satisfying. sometimes i lose motivation but that feeling keeps me going.
It had a huge impact on me. i have more energy and more endurance, hiking got so much easier and more enjoyable when I started working out. It also helped to realise that I can achieve whatever I want, I feel so good coz Im eating healthy, my body is having a good response to all this, so yeah, it was great :)
I did and still do.
To me though, training gives me as many bad times as good times. Whenever I realize that I can't do a certain exercise or train in a certain way because of muscle imbalances, injuries or pain I feel so down It's indescribable. But that exact feeling makes me want to try even harder and do #WhateverItTakes to get back on it.
It was definitely positive! Releases stress, anxiety, someplace to go when bored, I got a natural high from it, I actually enjoy running and listening to music, it pumps me up, and I feel like I'm taking care of my body and doing something good with my time. And I lost some weight. So all good. Only bad thing is I have run into people I don't like there, but oh well.
When I work out, I usually forget all about what people think about me... everybody is there to get in shape so I thought it doesn't really matter if I'm fat and just trying to lost some weight! I felt more confident in my self and boost my self esteem
Only positive changes, absolutely. I feel more energetic, I procrastinate less, I feel lighter, happier. But my viewpoint may be skewed, because I also stopped caring about how I look, and I started focusing more on strength and endurance. I'm not sure whether that made me exercise or whether exercise caused that.
Working out has always made me just feel better. I breathe better (like not getting out of breath doing things), I feel more energized, I get more stuff done, etc. I guess it gives me a confidence boost, but that hasn't really been an issue. I am an introvert, and more reserved but I always just did my own thing even if it wasn't part of the "in" crowd.
Somewhat more confident... Yes definitely lots of physical improvements but they happen over time so you don't really notice it along the way... then you just start comparing to people better than you and not feel satisfied with what you've accomplished...
This is just me though.
Lol no when I started working out I died so I said fuck it and got some pizza. didn't feel confident about my belly but I was happy
Since I started really working out and taking care of myself, everything in my life is better. I'm better in my skin which now makes me feel better in my clothes and in who I am. I smile more, I am more comfortable around others. I feel in control of my body and I feel powerful in it. I workout 3 times a week, sometimes 2 when I don't have the time, and I swear this is the best thing ever.
eh... there is no such thing
I ve been exercising since I was 5
I ve always been fit, girls were jelly xD
Hahah I also started exercising regularly at 5 so I've always been fit, but I wanna get ripped now, instead of just fit, so I was curious to see what other changes besides gaining muscle, other people have experienced.
Exercising since 5 ? I am doing since 2 ...
https://i.imgur.com/W4vfOf7.jpg
@takumii Hahaha that meme Hahaha love it
Me working out had nothing to do with my mental state. I just enjoy it. My job makes me have to interact with a lot of people so, naturally I have to be confident. So no for me , working out didn't make me more confident more or less gave me a high.
Yes, I've been working out for over 14 years and women have noticed. When women eye fuck me, it gives me the biggest confidence boost. Sometimes, women are bold enough to squeeze my biceps (usually when they're liquored up).
Yes, working out made lose weight, improved my body and I believe that I've never been better physically in my whole life (poor me xD). So, yes, it made me get more confident.
I got more self-conscious. I didn't realize how much I liked people not looking at me. I went to get fit though for my health, not attention, and getting more attention sucked.
But don't you get more attention from girls? Don't you like that?
It's unwanted. I used to go through entire years without someone saying my name and now it's every few days someone wants to flirt with me. I guess I just like being left alone.
I very much do! Knowing my body looks and feels optimal combined with the testosterone boost! ;)
Did you notice a big boost in testosterone?
i've been working out since last winter. though i'm happy to see changes in my cardiovascular endurance and muscle tone, i feel the exact same way about my body as before.
Nah I've actually always been about the same confidence wise what increased my confidence was actually martial arts not bodybuilding. But bodybuilding it has had many other positive impacts in my life though and will continue to for the rest of it.
Definitely. Action cures fear, working out is the best known way to avoid depression and staying healthy. Cause you know, this is the one part of life where your efforts are reciprocated.
Working out is a good feeling and definitely can boost your confidence, even if it is only temporary. It's nice to see the progress.
I voted "didn't experience changes" but I guess that's not true, I didn't experience any confidence changes but I have more energy, less random anxiety, and it feels like I can think clearer.
I feel more confident with myself, and be more happy. Every time when I'm mad I work out like crazy. Then I feel better.
Does running and playing soccer count as working out
Yeah, any kind of exercise.
Yea breaking some ankles and performing clutch slide tackles feels great tbh
Well I am working out and I haven't seen any difference in my confidence :/
How long have you been working out for?
Very positive changes. I'd say it made me more confident to take on new challenges. I'm still really reserved around people I don't know well.
I had to buy new, smaller, better looking clothes!
I've been complimented on looking good!
I feel more confident at the beach!
I do gym religiously. It helps with being healthier. But not much with women. Rather be a chubbier dude with whatever personality attracts girls than a ripped guy without that personality.
for sure
and it makes you not only look but feel sexier too
Hell Yea & I say from now on "I'll workout everyday" but this is the everytime lie , I prefer fun sport
Absolutely: 1 week without any workout and I feel like scrap metal, mentally as well :o
I was like always biggest kid at my school, I started working out in like 8th grade doe so none I can remember OP but if you asking like if I get positive responses on that thenn heall yea I do lol
I was always confident, working out just made me even more assertive :D
Definitely upped my confidence and opinion of myself. Best decision I ever made was to get fit.
I did but I got lazy and stopped working out regularly
LOL, that last answer.
Yes, more confident, happier, more energetic, more driven, etc.
when i started working out i felt a lot of positive changes, physically and mentally both, and i heard that exercising helps boost your immune system.
It puts you in the right frame of mind working out not only gives you confidence but makes you cocky as well.
No I only get confident when I kick people's asses in video games and kick ass in video games it makes me delusional.
only started recently. ask me again when I see some results, lol
well now that im a gym rat im above everyone... some may call me a dick but i used to be bullied so now i make fun of people for not being a gym rat... true story if your not big your fucking pathetic.
I love you
Night and day changes!
Like what?
Body feels tighter. Clothes start fitting differently. Blood is flowing so you feel more alive and awake. Confidence increases. Not sure about the mind... lol
I have indeed gradually gotten better, yes.
More relaxed, more horny, more confident
Nope. No confidence gains yet. Just muscle gains.
Yes, all guys should try it
HELL YEAH
Only positive!
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