Finding Yourself in the Gym
Finding yourself in the gym
As trainers we hear a lot of the same things throughout the day. One of the things we hear often is “I feel like I’ve lost myself”. This sentiment is the exact reason many if us wanted to be a trainers. We can relate to it because we all have been there.
Adulting is hard. We put absolutely everything that we have into our careers, our homes and our families. We are pulled in different directions, always focused on where our next obligations are and often forget that we need to stop and take care of ourselves.
The one thing we want you to remember is that not only is it okay to do something that is just for yourself, it’s necessary.
Weight Training is an activity that benefits so much more than just your body; it has invaluable benefits to our mental health as well. Lifting weights has results that are quantifiable. We don’t always get this in our daily lives. There is something very motivating about discernable progress. Seeing progress in the gym brings a feeling of accomplishment which can lead to improved self-esteem. There’s really nothing like that feeling of growing faith in your abilities to help bolster your confidence.
Weight lifting is also a natural hormone regulator. The three main hormones that are known to increase during a session are dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. Dopamine is a mood booster, noradrenaline helps with attention and alertness, and serotonin is a natural mood regulator; all natural antidepressants. We see the effects of this all of the time. We love it when a client comes in cranky and leaves smiling. It’s hard not to feel better after a good training session!
Choosing to base your exercise regiment around building strength rather than losing weight is also good for the mind. Rather than focusing on physical activity as a way to compensate for your eating choices, focus on getting stronger. Research has shown that switching your focus from what you have to lose to what you can gain (in terms of strength) can lower the feeling of body dissatisfaction and provide a more positive mind-body connection.
We have all heard the sayings about not being able to fill anyone else’s “cup” if ours is empty. Take the time to fill your cup. Not only do you have the time but you deserve it as well. Dedicate yourself to a program and enjoy the mental benefits along with the physical ones. You don’t have to do it alone. Not only are we here for you but we are excited for you and to be a part of your progress!
Resources:
https://www.verywellfit.com/mental-health-benefits-of-strength-training-5216157