A Hobby Turned into a Habit
During high school, I went to a small, rundown gym near the school with some classmates during a lunch break. We didn’t know how to work out, so we spent every day doing bench presses for our chest. As a result, our bodies became weaker and weaker, to the point where even lifting our arms became difficult. If you understand fitness, you’d realize right away that this happened because after working a muscle, it needs adequate rest, typically 48 to 72 hours. But by training the same muscles every day, they only grew weaker. Despite this ridiculous start, I ended up falling in love with fitness.
After graduating from high school, while applying for my studies in Canada, I bought a membership at a better gym and started going regularly. I was fortunate to meet an enthusiastic trainer who taught me how to work out correctly. Since then, fitness became a habit of mine. Many years have passed, and I’ve been consistently working out, never stopping unless injured. Fitness has become part of my lifestyle. People often say, “You need persistence to work out,” but for me, there hasn’t been a single day where I relied on willpower to exercise. I do it because I genuinely enjoy it. To be honest, not going to the gym feels harder for me.
You’ll be guaranteed to find me at the gym—it’s just a matter of when or where. And if you explore this website carefully, you’ll figure it out with the hint.
The Benefits of Fitness
When I first started working out, and even now, I didn’t actively pursue the benefits that come with fitness—like better health, a stronger body, a better figure, or more confidence. These things are simply bonuses that come along when doing something I love. I remember walking on the streets or taking the bus, and people often complimented my physique, saying things like, “You have a great body,” or “You’ve got nice muscles.” Although I haven’t heard these compliments for a certain period of time, I’ll mention this more in later articles. I’m truly grateful for those kind words from strangers.
Recently, during a blood test at the hospital, every one of my indicators fell within the normal range. The doctor even emphasized that my blood sugar levels were at an excellent level, something that is difficult to achieve for most people.
Many people start working out with the goal of getting in shape, followed by wanting to stay healthy. But health requires good habits, and achieving a great physique takes years of effort. It’s a process measured in “years.” If you focus only on the results and can’t handle the process, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. Instead, treat fitness as a hobby and enjoy the process. Its benefits will gradually come to you without you even noticing.
But, thinking about it, don’t I also sometimes focus solely on the outcome in certain situations and ignore the importance of the process, only to give up in the end?
No One Ever Drowned in Sweat
One time, I was shopping online for clothes and came across a T-shirt that printed, “No one ever drowned in sweat.” I loved it the moment I saw it. I find this phrase incredibly motivational, whether referring to workouts or the hustle of everyday life. After I wore it out, many people complimented me on the T-shirt. Some even came over specifically to tell me, “I really like your T-shirt.” I have to say, Canadians really like expressing their admiration, and I’m truly thankful for that. It also made me realize that I should learn to do the same. Now, I’ve even put this phrase on the frame of my car’s license plate.