I was 18 years old and felt like everyone I grew up with went to the gym. Is that what happens after you graduate High school? I thought about why this was and instead of just watching from the stands I decided to join in on all this gym talk.
I started going to the gym towards summer 2020 and signed up for a planet membership. I would go by myself, with my brother, or my boyfriend. After two months, I canceled my membership because I was aware I wouldn't be going as often as I said I would so why give Planet Fitness free money. I initially went because everyone did and to become stronger. Okay I’m lying. I wanted to be slim thick.
A couple months after I had I stopped going, I reflected as to why I wasn't consistent and concluded the reason was because I wasn't doing it for myself and that didn't make me feel good. I did it to please others and simply be apart of a conversation.
Fast forward to January 1st 2022. I had decided to buy a membership again and made the verbal commitment to go consistently with my best friend. This time my attitude was different. I mean I still wanted to get “slim thick” but I also wanted to be strong and healthy. And for the past two months, my best friend and I are still sticking to our word. With these past two months down, my only goal and attitude of going to the gym is purely being healthy which has made a complete difference not only working out but in my confidence in the body I have now. You see I worked out before completely dismissing the body I have already and just had this image of a “dream body” in my head. My attitude changing has allowed me to love my body the way it is. I am healthy and strong. Getting bigger muscles is just a plus- and its an awesome one at that! Not just in my glutes but when chest and back day come around, boy do I love seeing my back flexed in the mirror post workout!
I believe that taking care of our physical health is so important because it has an effect on our mental health. Going to the gym has increased my energy and changed my mood to be overall more awake and positive. I feel so much more healthier mentally and physically than I did before the new year. Most of the time, I go around 7am. If my friend and I can't do that early then we just rearrange another time to fit out schedule.
Another cool thing I experience from going to the gym is when people notice a difference in my body. I went to the fridge the other day and my mom said "You look more toned". This surprisingly made me feel good because there was time when my loved ones would make positive comments about my body and I would react negatively. It is rewarding when your working hard for yourself and the people you love recognize it. This can spark a chain of reaction. If your loved ones see you going to the gym and the new positivity in your life that came from it, it can encourage them to take action about their physical health!
Going to the gym has built my self-confidence and appreciation towards other people and their work ethic. My mother always told me never to compare myself, that there’s just no point. As I go to the gym, I keep that in mind. We are all on different journeys and if you see someone picking up heavier weight than you or that they have your “dream body" which makes you feel insecure, you should intrude those negative thoughts with these:
MY DREAM BODY IS THE ONE I HAVE NOW. IT BRINGS ME THROUGH THE DAY
I AM WORKING TOWARDS BEING A HEALTHIER ME
WE ARE ALL ON DIFFERENT JOURNEYS
I ALLOW MYSELF TO GET ENCOURAGED BY OTHERS, NOT DISCOURAGED
And of course what I believe is the best affirmation to tackle negativity:
I AM LOVED AND FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
By the grace of God, I stopped getting annoyed when I skip a day. When I skip a day it’s most likely for a good reason. I wanted to hang out with friends, I wanted to write, or you know I simply wanted REST. When I skip a day I make sure to go on what was my planned rest day and if I don’t do that then it’s fine. I use to beat myself up for no reason and think that because I didn't go I would give up all together. I saw something helpful on twitter that simply said to work for progress. The gym is a tool and I use it, it is important that I don't allow it to use me. Once I start looking at it as a task and I'm not looking forward to it, then it becomes something unhealthy. Having discipline is important and I want remain consistent of course, but some of our needed rest days are not the ones we plan for!
If you're getting started at the gym or you've been going but don't really have a plan. Here is my workout split below that you can use as a guideline (NOTE: Every single body is different. What works best for me right now, may not work best for you. Do your own research. Read articles from doctors and watch educational videos. Oh, and consider talking to a loved one who has had experience in going to the gym for quite some time too).
Below are two educational videos that I find extremely helpful. The first is about going to the gym and overcoming fear. The second video discusses the positive effects going to the gym has on our brain:
Going to the Gym for the First Time - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoWGGNHvVxA.
Wendy Suzuki: The Brain-Changing Benefits of ... - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHY0FxzoKZE.
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