Hurting afterwards is a really bad sign. I think that keeps many people from getting over the hump to consistency.
Why is sports so bound with punishing yourself / self hate instead of enjoyment?
Why is sports so bound with punishing yourself / self hate instead of enjoyment?
I wouldn't say that pain necessarily implies punishing or self-hate, just pushing one's limits a bit further. In some types of martial arts that's not viewed as a bad thing either, for example, constant and somewhat strenuous exercise may lead to hypertrophy, which can be desireable for making one's body more resilient.
That said, there's nothing wrong with just doing sports more casually, for your own enjoyment as well. Consistency and technique are probably the most important aspects anyways.