My Fitness Journey: From Pajama Workouts to Training for a Marathon
I didn’t start taking fitness seriously until my mid-twenties. Up to that point, I avoided the gym and stuck to yoga here and there. I would work out at home in my pajamas, literally. The freedom was great, but honestly, I was lacking structure. No real schedule, no set goals. Flying blind.
Going to the gym felt like this whole thing. You plan your day around it, pack clothes, maybe snacks, and mentally commit. And that’s where the shift happened for me. Once I actually started going, I realized the effort it takes just to show up. That alone motivates me now. If I took the time to get there, I might as well make it count. Even on low-energy days, I push through. Some days, I even surprise myself and go beyond what I planned.
Once I got into a groove at the gym, I noticed how many yoga classes they offered. And yeah, it’s a whole debate whether gym yoga is “real yoga” but it turns out, good amount of people do yoga at the gym. I’ve tried a few of those classes. They’re solid if you’re looking for a physical workout, but they often skip the deeper stuff yoga has to offer. And that’s okay. I originally joined the gym to build strength for my yoga practice, so I kept that goal.
Sometimes I skip the machines entirely. I find a quiet corner or the yoga room, roll out my mat, grab some weights, and do my own thing. I especially love doing abs and legs, then stretching it all out at the end. Stretching is non-negotiable for me. I want to keep my body mobile so I can keep doing yoga without feeling so stiff.
One thing I’ve learned so far? You don’t have to dive into weights right away. I didn’t. Started with bodyweight movements, got comfortable, and built up from there. I know you’ll get stronger as you stay consistent.
To be honest, one of the biggest things that held me back from getting a gym membership was social anxiety. I had no clue what to do in that space. Everything changed when I started working out with my partner. He helped me understand how the machines work, and from there, I started enjoying it. Became friends with the treadmill. I used to run outside a lot, but now I’m embracing the treadmill life…slight incline, good playlist, total zone-out mode.
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned so much about myself. How my mind works. When my body wants to quit. Where my limits are, and how to move past them. I’ve never felt stronger. Never felt calmer. All because I committed to showing up for myself, again and again.
I’ve also never been the competitive type. My mom raised me to compete with who I was yesterday, not anyone else. That mindset has been a game-changer. It’s helped me stay focused on growth rather than comparison. These days, I can lift 12 to 15 lb dumbbells with ease. When I first started, 10 lbs felt like a challenge.
Speaking of pushing limits, I’m training for two races this year. I ran my first 10k at Bolder Boulder 2024 (what an experience!) and now I’m getting ready for my first 1/2 marathon in September. Signing up was a bold move, but I’m all in.
To wrap this up, this fitness journey has been so much more than building strength. It’s been a shift in mindset, a lesson in resilience, and a massive confidence boost. Every tough workout, every run, every drop of sweat..it’s all added up to a version of me I’m really proud of.
True strength isn’t just about muscles. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard. It’s about growing, evolving, and surprising yourself along the way.
Check out my running playlist on Spotify! Listen here.
11/8/2025
