The Reason Why I Workout

First of all, I just want to thank you guys for viewing my blog and encouraging me.  I saw a lot of comments on the link of the blog I shared on facebook.  I would actually really appreciate it if you guys can post the comment on the blog instead of facebook, because first, it's hard to find those comments in the future, and second, it shows that there are people who actually read my blog and give me feedback lol.

The reason why I workout ......  I get this question asked a lot.  One of the most common misconception is that guys workout just to get girls.  This is NOT why I workout, as well as a lot of my friends and coworkers who are just as dedicated and passionate about fitness as me, like John, C-Lo, Greg, Anthony, Nick, Brandon, Martin ......

I started working out when I was a sophomore in high school, about 5 years ago.  I was literally a twig weighing 120 and 5'11'' tall.  I had a pretty bad relationship with my abusive step - father.  So I thought if I could work really hard and get big, one day I'll be able to overcome him physically.  At school, because I was a immigrant and skinny, some kids would always pick on me and push me around.  I was also thinking if I get more muscular, first I won't get picked on, second, it'll help me to be more popular and get more girls.  Due those "wrong" reasons, I started working out.  I also joined the Varsity Weightlifting team and the Track team (running 800m and 1 mile).  It did help me to gain popularity, but as I grew up, I realized two thing.  First, you don't need brutal physical force to resist someone or protect yourself and I learnt to forgive.  How strong you are inside is actually more important.  Second, girls don't just look for muscle, they look into your heart and personality.  So why did I keep working out then?

1. I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  This includes pretty much everything, my schedule (what time I go to bed and wake up, usually 10 - 11 pm to 6 - 7 am), diet, regular exercise routine, appearance, activities, value, priority, and so on.
2. Working out is like a disciplined practice, similar to martial art.  I constantly push myself and reach my limit.  Once I do reach my limit, I'll push the boundary even further.  Since working out is such a pain in the butt, it actually develops your discipline, dedication, mental toughness, endurance and a lot of other good characters.
3. It's a habit.  I've been doing it for so long that I'm already used to it.  If I don't workout for more than two weeks, I feel super uncomfortable.
4. It feels good and relieves stress.  Being a Berkeley Civil Engineering major, life could be really stressful.  Whenever I feel beaten down by my low midterm score, bad grade, or just any sort of issue and trouble, I go the to gym get refreshed and ready to get back up.  Proven by scientific research, exercise actually decreases "stress hormone" and increase endorphin, which is the "feel good" chemicals.   Like our former governator Arnold said in Pump Iron, "A good pump is as satisfying to me as the feeling of coming." lol

This is exactly what's on my mind when I run,

running through a screen of water, 

getting refreshed and filtering out all of my stress and frustration, nice Asics commercial 

5. It increase your self-esteem.  Wouldn't anyone feel more confident if he or she has a nice and fit body?
6. It prevents aging.  If you eat well and workout, I bet you in ten years, you will look a lot younger than people at your own age.

These are all the reasons I can think of right now.  I'm pretty sure there are more, but the first two reasons are the most important ones to me.