How Exercise Helped Me Be a Better Person

Before I started exercising regularly I was a totally different person than I am today. To be brutally honest, whenever I think about the person I used to be I cringe a little. And it's especially hard sharing my old self with new people that didn't know me back then because I want them to see me as I am today. However, at the same time I've learned so much and enjoy sharing my transformation with others in the hopes of inspiring them.

So here we go.

I used to be... insecure, jealous, anxious, uptight, touchy, worried about everything, scared of everything. I was not confident, connected with myself or sure of myself. I doubted my talents and gifts, and constantly lived with a victim mindset where the whole world was set against me.

Seriously. It wasn't fun living like this. It caused issues in my relationship with my boyfriend (my now husband), made it hard to make new friends, and created roadblocks between myself and new adventures and opportunities.

What made me change?

I am not joking or exaggerating - but what changed me and my course the most was exercising. I clearly remember being at Boston Sports Club, and one day I worked up enough courage to try a group class that I was always interested in but too scared to try. And it was so freaking hard. Like, I felt sick at the end, hard. BUT I also felt amazing at the end.

I had stopped exercising for so long I had lost my mojo and after just 1 class I was already feeling better. I felt empowered, inspired, and confident. I walked out of class that day not just feeling physically stronger, but feeling emotionally cleansed and mentally clearer. It was incredible.

As a result I went back the next day and the day after that and so on. I kept going back, trying new classes and teachers, and slowly coming out of my shell of fear and insecurity and transforming into the person I am today. It took time and hard work but each and every exercise/class/run/challenge brought me one step closer to the person I truly was underneath all the baggage.

Now, many years later, I still cringe when I think back to my old self; but then I always take a moment to feel grateful for being the person I am today and the many steps that it took to get me here.

Exercising changed my life. And I know that it can change your entire life - not just your body, but every aspect of who you are and what you do - so let's move!