There are many people who say the gym is more addicting than drugs. I believe this to be true. Whether fat or skinny, tall or short, black or white, the gym proves to be an enjoyable place for people of all shapes and sizes.
The word “gym” often terrifies people as the idea of exerting mass amounts of energy, sweating in public, and being surrounded by fit people which can cause unnecessary amounts of anxiety. I will admit, the gym can take some getting used to but once in a consistent routine, you will find it to be one of the hardest habits to break.
Firstly, regular exercise and physical activity are proven to boost energy levels while simultaneously fighting fatigue, a.k.a your worst enemy. The biggest excuse in the book for why people don’t regularly exercise is: “I don’t have the energy!” Well, once you force yourself to gradually become more active, you will notice much higher levels of energy than ever before allowing you to increase your workouts by more and more each day.
Next, I find the results to be the most addicting part of going to the gym. Take before and after pictures. These will shock you as you watch your body transform! Further, there is nothing more satisfying than waking up to sore legs and sore arms after a hard workout the previous day. Nothing boosts self-esteem more than a hot body! As you continue to reach your goal, the visible progress becomes addicting and you will fight to push your body to the limit in order to reach your ultimate goal.
Exercising does so much more than weight loss. Alongside boosting your energy levels, exercise also reduces stress and has been proven to fight depression. Exercise provides the body with a release. This release comes from your brain where chemicals called endorphins are produced. When released, endorphins work as “rewards” for the brain and provide the body with feelings of pleasure while relieving the body of pain. This is where the addiction comes in. And, just like any other drug, time spent away from the gym will result in endorphin withdrawals, leaving you craving the gym more than ever on your off days.
When walking into the gym, you are instantly greeted with a rush of air, filled with the smell of sweat (the good kind, of course) and the sound of calories crying as weights hit the floor and cardio machines hum under the masses of athletic shoes. While it may seem intimidating at first, what with the multitudes of muscle heads and perfectly sculpted and toned bodies, you should never fear because us “gym folk” are the friendliest around. People at the gym love being asked for help so don’t feel shy or embarrassed if you need help with a bench press or just can’t work a machine. The gym is a community and together, its inhabitants work to create a harmonious atmosphere while sharing a common obsession.
