High octane music playing on full pitch, power lifters attempting to lift weights way beyond their capacity, some checking out their biceps or newly toned curves in full length mirrors others envying them from the corner of their eyes and some are speeding on still machines as if they were being chased down by wild beasts. Sounds familiar, this is the scenario of gyms all across the world.   

All my life, I hesitated to go to gyms, found the machines, weights too noisy and intimidating and the vibe, high on testosterone. I always had this misconception that if I do weights, I would become bulky and probably have a physique that would make Salman Khan feel inadequate in front of me, because when I work on something, man, I give it my all. 

Being on the chubbier side, I dreamed of one day getting into shape with a lean body. But, I kept procrastinating, thinking I will get there some day but not now; sweat it out may be before I join college. I joined college and it got over, but my exercise regime did not start.

Then I started working and came up with an excuse that I now need to focus only on my career; I can exercise and loose the extra kilos before my marriage. Time passed and then I got engaged to a person, who was extremely health conscious and had a daily regime of jogging a couple of kilometers to be in shape. Finally, it was time to get serious and down to business; immediately after my roka, I became a fitness fanatic. I went for morning and evening jogs, counted the calories of each meal that I consumed and lost all the long piled kilos. I was so dedicated that my entire wedding trousseau was loose and a complete misfit. My poor Maa had to chase the tailor for last minute alterations.     

Have you heard of the phenomena spousal influence; where the dominant spouse influences the general health and behaviors of the other? It’s a proven theory. Now don’t get too far ahead in your thinking, I am in no way implying that my husband is the dominant spouse in the marriage; it’s just that he has always been extremely health conscious and a regular gym goer; his effect had to rub off on me, but not to the extent that I join a gym. I simply controlled my diet and went for regular walks.

When I was carrying Puchki, I lost all self-control and ate whatever my heart desired at any time of the day, without feeling any sense of guilt. My binging cost me dearly; I was 85 kg before delivery and 81 kg after it. All the excess weight was for me to shed.

I was miserable to say the least, I would fit into clothes that I could count on my fingers and wearing my favorite dresses from my wardrobe felt like a distant dream. To cheer me up my husband splurged quite a bit, took me shopping every now and then but choosing an XL size instead of Small did play up on mind.

Initially, I thought of going for weight and inches reduction therapies; but, I could not take the easier route; it’s not something I have done and will do. So next option was dieting and exercising. I consulted a dietitian and after six months of extreme self-control, things started getting back to shape. Side by side I continued my walks, but, I still could not fit into my expensive salwaar-kameez from my wedding trousseau and lovely dresses. I needed more help, so finally gave in and joined the gym.

It was a great gym, right next to our house with the latest equipment, state of the art infrastructure and great instructors, who put together an entire week’s exercise regime and diet plan. I followed it, but half-halfheartedly, I reluctantly picked weights, always feared of hurting my back, I’d work on the tread mill and cross trainer and head home. I enjoyed working out during non-peak time, when I had the gym to myself, no one being around. Then the pandemic hit us and our yearly subscription went for a complete toss.

During that time, we also moved out of our independent house and moved into a condominium. With the Lord’s grace the pandemic ended and things got back to normal. My husband resumed the gym but somehow I did not. It was only after a year and half and after seeing my husband’s dedication that I got inspired to go to the gym.

Oh! I was so out of place and found innumerable excuses to not go, it’s not spacious enough; it’s always crowded, I do not know how to use the equipment. But, under the watchful eyes of our in-house instructor and at times hubby dearest, I learnt my way through.

It’s been 08 months that I have been going to the gym regularly just too finally realise that you do not need much space or fancy equipment to work out, all you need to do is be calm and connect with your mind, body and soul and push yourself each day to pick weights heavier than yesterday, go for two more counts of squats, do another round of plank position for 30 seconds. And the results are most gratifying; finally I’m fitting into all my dresses without a body shaper.     

Yes loud music is playing, there are occasional sounds of people grunting, while lifting heavy weights, there is a musky smell of sweat, but this can be overlooked because here, there is a sense of community, people motivating one another to achieve their fitness goals, sharing their tips and correcting each other’s postures to avoid any injury.

Now I can safely say I am a gym bunny and I’m hooked on. If I do not exercise, I am usually lazy and in worst of my moods. Even if I do not feel like working out on any given day, I just turn up at the gym and the vibe has me sweating it out in no time.

So what are you waiting for, come join me and Let’s Workout!