We were discussing exercise as a means to an end vs simply enjoying it at the club I joined recently. During the conversation we observed a pattern amongst people that had been going there for a while: Those that had managed to sustain a significant weight-loss simply enjoyed exercise for its own sake, while those that saw it only as a means to an end were still struggling to sustain any significant loss.

I don't think that the amount of exercise alone can explain this difference, since exercise, at least in my case, can only account for ~20% of my weight loss, the rest being diet. This must mean that other factors, somehow related to whether or not one enjoys exercise, are affecting this outcome. Maybe it subconsciously affects choices in foods, how much and how often one eats, etc?

Thoughts?

When I first started I'll admit that exercise was a means to an end. It has quickly involved into an enjoyment though. Once I get running I feel so much better. Also seeing the steady weight loss is extremely satisfying. Its nice to see myself be able to do more than I thought I could. I started off this year just walking and now I'm running four miles a day. It feels great.

It was the same way with food at first too. The thought of McDonalds or other fast food grosses me out. Now I don't care for the super huge meals I used to love. I feel sick afterwards, physically and also feel a bit guilty (the few times since I started).

I think you are on to something though. You have to be in the right frame of mind to do it. Fully committed. In the past I've struggled because I was forced to lose weight and resented it. This time I chose to do it and I want to as well as needed it. I feel so much better. I'm about halfway to my long term goal (want to be around 170-175 sustained). I get excited just talking about it.

I too really like looking back to see how far I've come in terms of endurance and other general health parameters. I really look forward to my morning rows, and evening Krav Maga sessions, although not without a healthy sense of dread in the case of the latter.

I guess what I was driving at, in a round about sort of way, is that perhaps by searching for the exercise(s) that really get you excited to just do them, you will eventually find The One that you look forward to, the effect of which will then propagate out to affect your diet, etc., resulting in a more sustainable weight loss/maintenance. I see people on ellipticals, treadmills, stationary bicycles, etc., and think "how could someone possible stick with something so mind-numbingly dull? I certainly couldn't". Yet I row on an indoor rower for over an hour at a time, day in and day out, just watching the flywheel spin; something which to my wife seems as utterly mindless as a hamster running on its wheel.