
I wonder how many people are like me – having a five-year gym membership but only going five times. I really admire those who can consistently go to the gym every day. My self-discipline in exercise isn’t very strong, and I don’t have a strong awareness of body management, so my internal motivation for exercise isn’t particularly robust. Indoor exercises always feel somewhat monotonous to me, making it difficult to maintain long-term. I think perhaps I’m more suited for outdoor activities because I’ve discovered that only interest can drive me to stick with an exercise routine.
Cycling is the sport I love and have managed to stick with. Sometimes I don’t even think of it as exercise, but rather as a leisure activity for my free time. Riding in nature makes me feel relaxed and joyful – breathing fresh air, enjoying the scenery along the way, listening to my favorite music, and cycling toward my destination. Before I know it, I’ve burned calories.
During long-distance rides, I might feel too tired to reach my destination, but I always choose a scenic destination to motivate myself. The desire to see beautiful scenery always encourages me to persist a bit longer. I’ve found that overcoming laziness is just a matter of mindset – once you pass a certain threshold, the rest of the ride doesn’t feel particularly tiring anymore. You might even feel the pleasure and strength that comes from dopamine release.
Cycling is different from running – when you’re tired of running, you can easily take a taxi home. But when cycling, you’re out there with just you and your bike. If you want to give up on your planned route, you might need to call a moving service. Having to be “towed” away with all your gear is somewhat embarrassing, especially when riding with cycling buddies. We usually don’t want to fall behind, and unless there’s a physical problem, most people won’t choose to stand by the roadside waiting for “rescue” just because they’re tired. That’s why cycling is really suitable for lazy people – there aren’t many easy ways to quit halfway.