The Best Thing I’ve Done For My Mental Health

We are only 4 months into this year, and I’ve already found the best thing I’ve ever done for my mental health. If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll know that last year I documented my fitness journey and specifically my journey to running a half marathon. I haven’t really posted much about my fitness or what I’ve been up to for a while, so I thought now would be a perfect time.

Back in January of this year I (like everybody else) set some goals. I don’t like the term ‘new years resolution’ but you could say it was a resolution of sort. My half marathon training was over and I knew I needed a new goal and something to help me focus. During all of the half marathon training and post race, I actually injured my back. So, running and doing another race was off the table.

RECOVERING AFTER AN INJURY

I would have loved to keep the momentum of doing more races, running consistently after completing the half marathon. But, my body simply wouldn’t let me. I am a firm believer in things happening the way they are supposed to, because without this injury I wouldn’t have started my new hobby. Recovery is hard, especially when all you want to do is do what you love. I really loved running, but I guess it just wasn’t good for my body. I spent months and months in a pit of sadness trying to figure out what to do next. And then it hit me.

When I was training for my half marathon I’d spend hours upon hours on the treadmill. I’d go into the gym and only use the treadmill and go home. I was so jealous of all the other people I’d see wondering around the gym using all of the other machines. I’d never really felt confident in the gym, which is why I never bothered to even attempt to use other equipment.

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GYM ANXIETY

You could say I suffered with gym anxiety. The fear of doing something wrong, getting in the way or just making a fool out of myself. I know alot of people suffer from this, and it’s a real issue for alot of people. Although I was in the gym 5 days a week, I too suffered from it. Gym anxiety would stop me in my tracks. I even walked to the gym once and then just went home because I couldn’t face it.

But, I am here to tell you. Me, the girl who once envied all those other people for doing what she always wanted. DID IT.

LIFTING WEIGHTS

I never ever saw myself as a weight lifting girly. The only fitness goal I’ve ever had in my life is to lose weight and be as small as possible. I guess that comes down to societies standard for women, but thats another topic for another day. Lifting weights and growing muscle was a new field for me. Something I’d never considered.

Back in January of this year I sought to find a new online coach. I’d worked with one previously for my half marathon training but I knew it was time to switch it up. A friend of a friend recommended a new coach for me, and it was from then, things changed.

Lifting weights and taking it seriously has really made such a huge impact on the way I think. It’s improved my mental health drastically, way more than cardio ever did! I came to realise that I was the only one standing in my own way. It was me stopping myself reaching my full potential. And I think, without my original back injury stopping me from running I would have never gotten to this place this year. So, you could say I’m grateful for it.

The gym is a place for everybody. No matter your shape, size, height, race, gender. We are all there with a similar goal. We want to improve our bodies, our health and just become better people because of it. So if you’re like how I used to be, worried, anxious about going to the gym and reaching your full potential. Take it from me when I say, nobody in the gym cares about what you’re doing. If this is what helps your mental health, a few awkward gym sessions trying to figure things out is worth it.

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Strong is the new sexy for me this year. And I cant wait to see what’s to come.

What do you do to help your mental health? Do you workout and go to the gym?

Olivia x 
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