For those who are regular today, it may have started with an excessive desire for a perfect body (usually driven by an image that leaves an impression) or a phase of extreme self-loathing. This led to a trip to Jim, which was most likely a trifle scare. The first few months may have been a mixed bag, with the discovery of a unique kind of pain and a unique kind of pleasure, and the realization that the art and science of exercise is, in fact, very complex.
For those who are still doing it today, the first few months of supplementation, there was a slightly better body, a sense of well-being and mild withdrawal symptoms when one had to quit. Your body has also learned to distinguish between good pain and bad pain and the ability to recognize exercise buzzes.
The next 9-12 months were all about learning the ropes, some dramatic changes, increased frequency of staring, forming a smaller social group among gym regulars, stronger withdrawal symptoms when one had to lie down, and quora was about gym rat - a New research interest.
For those who are still doing it today, they would have played on loop for months and years, except for the major blockade 9-12 months ago. A bout of illness, a time of great stress, or travel may have forced someone to lay off for weeks and months, leading to a shocking realization - exercise withdrawal symptoms are serious! Lying down leads to weird kinds of muscle soreness, less satisfying sleep, a body that's shutting down the graphic novel ideal, clothes that don't fit so well, mild depression, no guarantees every morning, less Stare, no 'I myself this room kind of feeling I hear meets a food that doesn't taste so good, and dead high-five/back-slap/funny-handshake gym camaraderie.
That's when you realize why you exercise. It's a combination of chemical dependence and addiction that is intertwined with every aspect of your social life, your self-esteem, the chattering in your head, and your daily schedule.
It's a good addiction, and there's nothing you need to do to stop the habit.
Exercise is a wonderful thing, all you need is exercise.