Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Many years ago, when I first walked into a gym, I thought I was going to vomit. I was so insecure, lost and intimidated. I had no clue what I was doing and I was too shy to ask for advice or help. So, I climbed on a stair master, put my headphones in and did more observing than exercising. Like a hawk, I watched everyone around me and every move they made. I took mental notes and tried my best to eavesdrop on conversations pertaining to fitness. 

I lasted maybe 40 minutes at the gym that day. Unlike today, when I can easily spend two hours at the gym getting through my routine, trying new things and helping others. After what felt like a disappointing experience in the fitness world, I went home and did some research. I looked up everything I could about being healthy. From routines to muscle groups, supplements, dieting, gym etiquette and everything in between. I was intrigued, inspired and felt a connection different than what I had felt before. 

Two weeks after walking into my first gym, I had signed up to receive my yoga certification. Sculpt, cardio, core conditioning, strength training, indoor cycling, cardio kickboxing and ski conditioning certifications followed shortly after. I won’t go into great detail, but fitness saved my life. Not just because it helped me get strong and lean, but it helped me build the confidence I was desperately craving for. 

As most things, it didn’t happen overnight. It has taken a long time, stubbornness, promises to myself, disappointments, achievements, and an abundance of trials and errors. No matter what, I tell myself to get up and try again. I am nowhere near my fitness goals, but in reality, every moment I spend focusing on my health is a day closer to creating a better version of myself.  

Out of all the things we do for and to ourselves, fitness offers one of the greatest rewards. Studies have proven that healthy individuals are more patient, compassionate, more motivated and a lot happier. If I wouldn’t have made the choice to walk into that fitness center many moons ago, I know for a fact that I would have spent a large portion of my life regretting it. Especially, knowing what I know now. 

I can wrap my head around the fact that a lot of people don’t care to step into a gym. That’s okay! My advice to you, however, is that if you are unhappy with yourself, just as I once was, you always have the choice to change. Fitness and health are a lifestyle and it takes an immense amount of commitment. As Lao Tzu once said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step. And what a great thousand-mile journey it has been!

(Originally published in the March 5, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)