My brother in law invited me to the gym(Premier Fitness) one day in late 2006 or early 2007. I knew nothing about working out at the time. I had major doubts. I thought I wouldnt fit in or that I would look weird because I didnt know what I was doing.
We did a back and biceps workout. I felt the pump in my arms. It was an amazing feeling. I've been going to the gym since then.
I took a few years off from the gym from 2009 to 2011. Due to relationships, school, not being able to afford a gym membership, and unfortunately depression.
I'm back on again and I don't want to stop. I want to become the best version of myself.
I've experienced some emotional devastation in the past few years; from sever heart break to failures in my career path. I was very unhappy, lacking self worth and had very low self esteem. After 3 or 4 years away from the gym, I decided to give it another try. I remember I used to feel good about myself in the past when I worked out really hard. I really just joined the gym because I wanted to change. I didnât know HOW, or WHAT I wanted to change....I just wanted to CHANGE. When you hit rock bottom, you can literally only improve.
My mind was in a dark place: revenge, anger, deep sadnessâ¦pain. I was prescribed anti-depressants: I took them and they had a profound impact on my mental state. It allowed me time to stop thinking about the pain, and start coming to terms with my life as it was. It's helped me accept and move forward.
I willingly stopped taking the anti-depressants because I felt like I needed to restore balance to my brain and become a real person again. (Anti-depressants makes you feel like a zombie)
Now, I find salvation in the gym. I feel like I belong there. Working out enables me to push the boundaries of my mind. Everything that happens inside of the gym is a physical manifestation of what is going on inside of my head.
It enables me to
1) Set goals
2) Working HARD to attain those goals
3) Having the patience and persistence to achieve those goals.
All in one location.
It is also an outlet for me to clear my mind of the things that make me sad, and funnel my energy into improving myself.
Other reasons I love working out:
The zone you get into when it's just you, and the weight.
The burn of pushing out that one last rep.
The amazing sleep after a serious workout.
The satisfaction of seeing a change in your physique.
By any standard, I am not fit. But...I will be.