She Strengthens

Finding My Fitness Formula

Growing up in a neighborhood where street hockey was a staple, I never had to think twice about staying active. As a child, exercise was a natural part of my daily routine, and I reveled in the social aspect of team sports. However, when I entered university, my active lifestyle took a drastic turn. Without the structure of school sports, I found myself eating more and moving less, quickly gaining the infamous “freshman 15.”

Getting Back on Track

To get my fitness routine back on track, I invested in a university gym membership, which seemed like a reasonable $40 per month. However, I soon discovered that going to the gym felt more like a chore than a enjoyable activity. Despite having the knowledge, playlist, and occasional workout buddy, I struggled to stay motivated.

Exploring My Options

I embarked on an eight-year journey to find the perfect physical activities that would keep me engaged. I tried a variety of exercises, from free YouTube pilates to expensive volleyball teams, and even dodgeball tournaments. Here’s a rough breakdown of the costs associated with some of the activities I tried:

• University intramural teams: $25 for 3 months
• One-time military bootcamp: $60
• Hot yoga classes: $20 per class
• Workplace tennis tournament: $5
• Recreational soccer team: $200 for 4 months
• One-time obstacle race (Tough Mudder): $125
• Dance classes: $12 per class
• Competitive volleyball team: $300 for 6 months

Discovering My Formula

Through trial and error, I finally discovered the fitness formula that works best for me: social, scheduled, and paid. While it may seem counterintuitive to pay for exercise when there are free alternatives, I’ve come to realize that investing in activities I enjoy is essential to my commitment.

The Importance of Enjoyment

I’ve learned that forcing myself into activities I don’t enjoy is a recipe for disaster. Whether it’s running or any other exercise, if I’m not genuinely invested, I’ll find excuses to skip it. On the other hand, when I find an activity I love, I’m more likely to push through obstacles and commit to it.

My Current Routine

So, what does my current fitness routine look like? I’ve committed to a recreational sports team ($90/3 months = $7.50/week), a dance class ($15/class = $30/week), and biking as transportation (free). My total weekly cost is $37.50, which translates to around $150/month.

The Value of Investment

While my monthly total may be higher than some gym memberships, I’m confident in my investment. Knowing that I’ll show up to three enjoyable, social, and sweaty exercise sessions per week is worth every penny. So, take a lesson from my fitness adventure: find a physical activity that gets you excited, and don’t be afraid to invest in it.