In the spur of the moment, I decided to sign up for personal training at my local gym. I had a personal trainer before and knew I could handle it. After I signed up, I knew I had to be honest with myself about why I never saw any changes in my body.

I never saw the results I wanted because I would only go to the gym when I saw the trainer once a week, eat whatever I felt like no matter the time of day (or night) and because I simply did not take my fitness goals seriously. Needless to say, I never saw any results because I chose to not be committed to the lifestyle changes I needed to make.

Once I was finally honest about what I was doing wrong, I knew I needed to be serious and work hard to see any results.

After going through my first two personal training sessions at my gym, I felt pretty good. Even though I am completely out of shape and my endurance is lower than low, I felt like I could get this whole workout thing down. I changed my diet (but still cheated here and there), cut down drastically on the alcohol and tried to go to the gym a little more. (Side note: huge shout out to my trainer, Hector, for motivating me and putting up with my wimpy self. You're the best person I’ve ever worked out with and I’ll probably write a thank you article about you in the future. Just a heads up.)

I found enjoyment in having sore muscles because it made me feel accomplished. It certainly boosted my ego. After recovering from my sore muscles, I was ready for my third session. On my way to the gym, I put on my music (I may or may not have sung my lungs out to Ariana Grande) and was ready to work hard and kill it like Khloé Kardashian does every day. When I got to the gym, my amazing trainer warned me I was going to hate him after I did a few strength training exercises and worked on my abs.

Even though I started out the workout motivated and ready to work hard, I ended it mad at myself. I had to stop to take longer breaks than I should have and I didn’t finish my workout the way I was supposed to. I gave up. After I caught my breath and walked to my car, I felt defeated. My ego and confidence were shattered. I felt like a wimp and felt bad that my personal trainer had to witness my weakness.

I honestly don’t know if everyone who goes to the gym has a similar moment but it was definitely a feeling I wasn’t used to. But it was absolutely one of the most important moments because it was then that I decided to turn that disappointment and frustration into real motivation. I decided to work harder at the gym and be serious about going to the gym more than just to see my trainer (even when I really wanted to sleep in on Saturdays), and I really thought twice about the food I put in my body.

My worst moment at the gym was the best experience because it gave me a reality check. A reality check that I need to work harder and do better, but also that I’m human. My self-worth is not solely based on how much I can lift, how many super sets I can do or how hard I can run. But it certainly motivated me to work a little more each time. I don’t know how successful I will be, how much weight I will lose or how much muscle I will gain, but I’m glad I didn’t give up.