Question for all the people that seem to enjoy working out.

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I think it's how more than what. I am not in pain all the time. Understand that recovery is part of progress. Pain is apt to be a sign that something is wrong. In training for endurance sports most of what I do is relaxed and comfortable. Some sessions are skill-based. Warming up, cooling down, stretching, proper form, and rest takes care of most of the problems.

I think maybe you need a fresh look at fitness.

Working out is part of my job. In the morning I ride 3 miles to work on a bike, push 5-6 carts (telescoped into each other) at a time for about 5 hours and then ride the 3 miles back home. On holidays I push up to 24 carts in one long row at a time for several hours, and then bike home. At the store I worked at previously, I had to travel 6 miles one way.
Also one of my therapists I used to see was 13 miles away, and I would bike to my appointments.

But in the beginning, biking two miles was considered to me 'major exorcise.' Until I got used to it, I would be sore for a day or two. I also didn't like it at first, not because it was tiring, but because I thought that if I left my house, I would end up getting kidnapped somehow.

You would have to start out slow, or it will be very painful, more painful then it should be. You'll still have some pain, but it won't be as much compared to doing too much too soon.

I enjoy working out. I only experience delayed onset muscle soreness after the first workout after not working out in a while. It can be very painful (especially if it involves several large muscle groups). It peaks 36 hours after the workout and can last for 72 hours after the workout. I'll usually go back once most of the pain has subsided (around 48 hours), and I'll still do cardio of I'm sore. I might be a little sore after the next workout, but not as nearly much.

When I weight train, I never train the same muscle groups two days in a row. I always take a days rest in between. Cardio I can do everyday. I like to watch the numbers that calculate miles, distance, calories burn, strides/steps.

I enjoy the pain. If I don't feel like i'm sore the next day, it feels like i've failed.

Oh, I thought when people mentioned roid rage they were talking about steroids not hemorrhoids.

Answering your initial question, the classic "no pain, no gain" applies. Don't do too much at once - increase your limit each time, but don't go overboard. Why exercise? To prolong life, to be able to eat more, and you can't argue the benefits that having ripped abdominals give.

If you don't exercise, your muscles atrophy and you'll only feel worse. Besides, it makes you stronger - less people will pick on a well-built person, nerd or otherwise. Trust me on this point.

If you're doing weights it's supposed to hurt the next day. Although once you get used to it you will start to notice a major energy boost, it's good to think of the pain as proof of progress. I have never been bullied since I started working out about 6 years ago when I was convinced to start playing basketball. Adding to your strength and speed really does help the self confidence.