Your sign to start moving 💪🏼

Hello everyone ~ in a yappity mood so today I’ll be sharing about my fitness journey in 2024!!

Growing up, I’ve always hated exercising. I was a lil chubby throughout my primary and secondary life and only started losing weight around uni (from eating less). I liked the way I looked and decided that was good enough for me, but as the days went by I felt weak and so unfit, I decided I had to do something about it!

I signed up for a gym in Jan this year, with no prior gym knowledge, assuming my then-bf would bring me (spoiler alert - he broke up w me 2 weeks after I signed a 1 year plan). Having to go alone, I felt really intimidated. So I started by going for group classes - cardio classes, HIIT, strength training, etc. I’d only hit the gym floor when I had a companion, which lasted for a couple of months in the earlier part of the year 😭. I learnt how to use some of the equipment and various targeted exercises! (Another spoiler alert - after we stopped going together, I haven’t been on the gym floor since 😭😭😭)

BUT ANYWAY, because I have a plan, I just continued going for classes because that’s better than nothing right? That’s when I started going for yoga classes… and omg I loved it! Contrary to popular belief, yoga is not just about flexibility - it really takes a lot of strength and determination 😂 and is a good way to build endurance and strength! In particular, a lot of the postures engage your core and can help tone your muscles! But tbh I really just found the advanced poses (esp arm balances) cool and really wanted to be able to do them…

At the same time, I also started running under my friend’s influence 😎 I used to be someone that failed the napfa run without fail, my teacher even gave up on making me re-run bc I really couldn’t run pass 1km without dying 😂 but after exercising for a few months, my fitness level went up a notch and I found myself being able to run 2.4km at a passable timing! Eventually, I made it up to >5km (and am gonna continue to slowly push it up)! Running became pretty satisfying for me, seeing myself improve in terms of distance and timing (though I’m still v slow).

So… after close to 9 months at a gym, I’ve discovered: I don’t really need a gym membership 😂 I don’t regret signing though, as I would have never known that I’d enjoy yoga as much as I do today! And now I know that, I can sign for a yoga studio instead!!! It also helped me kickstart my healthier lifestyle and helped me find joy in being active!

Moral of the story is get moving, try new things, and discover what makes you happy! You don’t need to do things conventionally to look a certain way, so long as you’re happy and healthy - that’s all that matters.

IF YOU’VE MADE IT THIS FAR: Sorry to disappoint but the cover photo is a catfish photo because my gym lighting’s INSANE. I actually do not have abs and I very much still have a belly HAHAHAHA.