Fitness has always been a part of my life. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been active. Whether it was running around in the backyard, playing whatever organized sport was in season, or just running after my little sister, I was always busy doing some kind of activity. As I grew up, I grew out of my running around the yard, and grew into running for a purpose. I grew up an athlete, and being an athlete, being fit was always important to me. I wanted to be at the top of my game, and I worked hard every day to make sure that I stayed there.
Now as a college student and retired athlete, I still haven’t lost my drive to stay fit, which is where the gym comes into play. The gym has become my new home, my happy place, and the one place I can always escape to when I’m having a bad day. Working out has become a passion of mine, and I work my butt off every day in order to get to where I want to be. The gym has allowed me to fall in love with myself again. It’s shown me that my body is capable of anything I put my mind to with a little hard work and determination, and having the gym being able to help me in my journey of self-love is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced.
The gym is my home, and be careful that you don’t fool yourself into thinking that I go there for you because I don’t. I go for me.
I don’t go to the gym so that you can compliment me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate all of the compliments that I get, but I don’t go because I am seeking your satisfaction. I go so that I can look good for myself, and meet my own goals. I don’t go so that I can look the way boys want me to look in order to find me attractive, or so that other girls can be jealous of how I look. My goal has never been to please other people, only myself, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.
I don’t workout so that I can get catcalled on the street or hit on by a guy at a party because i have a “fat a**”. What you think of my body is the least of my worries, and I definitely take everything you say with a grain of salt. Yes, I do workout my legs, my arms, my abs, and yes, my glutes, but I do it for me. I do it so that I’m strong, and so that if push came to shove, I know I can stand up for myself. I love the transformation my body has made through fitness, and you’re allowed to like it, but I still don’t do it for you.
Finally, I don’t workout so that I can make you happy. I don’t care if you think I’m too fat, too skinny, too fit, or not fit enough. Your opinion of my body is irrelevant because it’s my body, not yours. I’ll admit, I’m not the most confident person in the world, but the gym has helped me realize that my body is beautiful through my transformation process and that I can be happy at any stage that I’m at. I love to see the difference that I’ve undergone since I started this process, and knowing that I’m doing it for myself has allowed me to realize just how far I’ve come, and just how much stronger I am today, both mentally and physically.
Because no matter what you choose to say or think about me, there is only one opinion that’s worth listening to, my own. Just remember, I don’t work on myself for you, but instead I’m working on myself, by myself, for myself.