“No one’s coming to save you.” This has been the foundational quote of my life for many years. One of the obstacles I struggled with was being consistent in the gym. For a long time, I had a particular fitness goal in mind that I never accomplished. In August, I decided to take my fitness journey seriously. I was tired of making excuses, and most importantly, I didn’t want my gym anxiety to get in the way of my goals.
Recently, I watched Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which inspired me to write this article with the hope of helping anyone who is struggling to find motivation and inspiration to pursue their goals. In my case, I’ll be talking about my fitness journey.
Overcoming gym anxiety
When I began my fitness journey, one of the biggest challenges I faced early on was overcoming gym anxiety. The gym can be very intimidating. I kept worrying about looking ridiculous or using the machine wrong. It’s important to remember that everyone is on their own journey. One thing I kept reminding myself was: you’re starting, and that’s all that matters. Everyone must start somewhere.
After spending three months in the gym, here are three pieces of advice I would suggest to someone starting:
- Focus on yourself: I know it sounds cliché, but you’re in the gym for yourself, not anyone else. If someone is judging you, that’s on them.
- Look up videos online: Thousands of creators across social media offer tutorials and proper form for exercises.
- Be consistent: This is the best way to overcome anxiety. The more you go, the more your confidence grows.
- Go early: I usually go to the gym in the morning. Waking up early can become a great habit. It also gives you a chance to view all the machines and facilities, and to figure out your workout routine when it’s not so packed.
Do or do not. There is no try
Now, going back to Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. I have always believed Star Wars has one of the best stories and characters in cinema history, especially when it comes to life lessons. When Yoda is training Luke, we see his struggles to the point where he doesn’t believe he can complete his training. That’s when Yoda says, “Do or do not. There is no try.”
When it comes to the gym or any goal you have in your heart, you need to commit to it fully. Of course, you’ll have struggles, failures, and hardships, but you must keep moving forward. In Luke’s case, he needed to believe in his abilities and trust the Force. As for me, I also needed to believe in myself and push myself to work toward my goals.
It starts with you
At the end of the day, you must be the one to take the first step. Whether it’s starting a fitness journey, pursuing your dream, or working towards improving yourself. Progress takes time, but every effort you make is worthwhile. I’m still working on my journey. Believe in yourself and keep moving forward because the power of change is already within you.