Growing up, I used to think people who went to the gym and the atmosphere around it were cringe. Seeing people flex online, wearing pump covers, and caring so much about how much they lift just seemed excessive to me. On top of that, people in school would over-participate in PE class just to show off. I believed that strength was something that would naturally come with age, not something that had to be chased through years of work.
Entering my freshman year of high school, that mindset completely took over me. I gained weight, stopped going out, and quit martial arts because I convinced myself fitness just “wasn’t my thing.” During my pacer test, hearing everyone sprint across the floor and trying their best made me question why they try so much. I stayed in the background, in my comfort zone, playing video games, watching YouTube documentaries, and staying up—repeating the cycle.
Looking back I avoided physical activity not just because it was hard, but most of all because I couldn’t accept the fact I could be wrong about the people I made fun of. Over the past few years, fitness has taken over my life for the better. What started as simply going to the gym to get stronger became a way for me to learn discipline, confidence, and consistency.
At first I didn’t know what I was doing in the gym. I was only able to get by with my fathers help. He taught me how to do basic exercises correctly and pointed out what muscle group it hits. He would constantly bring me over on his free days and weekends, which helped me get into a routine of things. Soon I realized most if not everyone at the gym started where I was, confused and feeling out of place.
That is why fitness is kind of its own language. Yes, I know comparing physical fitness to a language sounds bizarre, but it’s because over time you slowly understand it more. You learn discipline from showing up even when school is getting difficult. You learn patience because results take months to even years, not days. You learn confidence because you start proving to yourself that you can improve at something difficult.
I think a lot of underclassmen struggle with this same mindset, especially now when it feels easier to stay inside all day scrolling on your phone or playing games for hours on end. From my experience, I know how hard it is to break out of the same habits you do every day. I used to wake up early enough to make it to the bus, get home, eat and shower, then chud out in my room either bed rotting or playing games all night long. Fitness helped me escape this constant rotting cycle.
I was able to squeeze my gym time to replace my negative habits like bed rotting and constant video games. Honestly, you do not need to dedicate your whole time or even life for that meter to fitness. It could be something small like going on runs, joining a sport, lifting weights with friends, taking Tallwood’s personal fitness class, or even working at home. The point is learning how to take care of yourself physically, and mentally before unhealthy habits become normal.
My appearance definitely changed thanks to fitness but I’m more grateful that my mindset changed. It helped me become more disciplined in other aspects of my life. It gave me something productive to put my negative energy into instead of lashing out. Thanks to the gym I started respecting myself and others who are actively trying to better themselves.
