I Hate Working Out Now… And That Might Be Okay...From Loving It to Dreading It
- Ulysses McDowell
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
There was a time when I loved working out.
I enjoyed everything about it:
Going to the gym
Pushing my body
Being around the energy of the fitness environment
Let’s be honest… I also enjoyed seeing the ladies.
That was part of the motivation too.
Back then, working out didn’t feel like work.It felt like something I wanted to do.
What Changed?
Fast forward to today…
I don’t feel the same way.
In fact, I’ll say it straight:
I hate working out.
I don’t get excited about going to the gym.I’m not thrilled about pushing an aging body.It doesn’t feel fun like it used to.
And yes, I still notice the ladies—but now, as a Christian, I view things through a different lens.
So naturally, the question becomes:
Is Hating Your Workout a Bad Thing?
Not necessarily.
Because working out isn’t just about feelings…
👉 It’s about motivation and attitude
Then vs. Now: A Shift in Motivation
🔹 Then (Younger Years)
Motivation = enjoyment
Energy = high
Gym = exciting
🔹 Now (After 50)
Motivation = discipline
Energy = different
Gym = something to complete
And here’s the key:
Both types of motivation can work.
My Motivation Today
My mindset now is simple:
“Get in. Get it done. Get out.”
That’s it.
No hype.No emotional attachment.Just execution.
But here’s what that mindset gives me:
I use proper form
I focus on efficiency
I avoid wasting time
I leave knowing I did what I needed to do
And most importantly:
👉 I have peace of mind knowing I’m taking care of myself
A Different Kind of Satisfaction
I may not love the workout…
But I do love what it produces:
Better mobility
More strength
Improved health
Mental clarity
And that’s enough.
What I Recommend (Especially for Men Over 50)
If you’re like me and don’t “love” working out anymore, here’s what I suggest:
✅ 1. Stop Waiting to Feel Motivated
Motivation may not come back the way it used to.
That’s okay.
👉 Replace motivation with routine
✅ 2. Keep It Simple
You don’t need complicated workouts.
Focus on:
Basic strength exercises
Light cardio
Stretching
Consistency beats complexity.
✅ 3. Focus on Form Over Ego
You’re not trying to impress anyone anymore.
👉 You’re trying to:
Stay injury-free
Maintain strength
Keep moving long-term
✅ 4. Shorter, Efficient Workouts
You don’t need to live in the gym.
30–45 minutes of focused work is enough.
✅ 5. Use Recovery Tools
This is something I’ve come to appreciate more over time.
For example, at Planet Fitness:
HydroMassage chairs
Massage chairs
These help loosen my body and make the process more manageable.
✅ 6. Accept the New Reality
This might be the most important one.
You may never feel the same way about working out again.
But that doesn’t mean you stop.
It just means your “why” has changed.
Final Thought
So yes…
I hate working out.
But no—it’s not a bad attitude.
Because I still show up.I still put in the work.And I still take care of my body.
And at this stage of life…
👉 That’s what really matters.
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