I WENT TO THE GYM TODAY AND I REGRET IT!
Yeah I said it!
The Gym Stigma: Lies We’ve Been Sold
You scroll through Instagram and see these shredded guys with perfectly defined abs, flexing under neon lights, and think, “Yeah, I could do that!”
Then you glance at yourself in the mirror and suddenly feel like the “before” picture in every fitness ad.
It’s demoralizing.
But wait, you think, “I’ll work out at home, 30 minutes a week, and I’ll be jacked in no time.”
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work like that.
And don’t even get me started on “healthy eating.” Every YouTuber makes it seem like meal prepping quinoa bowls is a breeze — until you see the price tag on those organic avocados and wonder if they’re imported from the moon.
The worst part?
The expectation.
You think the moment you walk into a gym, muscles will start popping out like a cartoon transformation scene. Instead, you leave drenched, sore, and questioning every life choice.
It’s a scam, I tell you — a scam wrapped in protein powder and overpriced leggings.
A scam that I fell for :(
The Reality of Day One: Expectations vs. Harsh Reality
When I decided to hit the gym, I had this vision: a cinematic montage of me crushing workouts, sweat dripping dramatically as I transformed into my dream physique.
Spoiler alert:
Reality smacked me harder than the dumbbell I dropped on my toe.
For starters, the machines looked like rejected prototypes from a sci-fi movie — absolutely no clue where to begin.
I hopped on what I thought was a simple leg press, only to find myself struggling against resistance that felt like a concrete wall.
Then came the plank challenge — which wasn’t much of a challenge since I collapsed after 15 seconds. Oh, and let’s not forget burpees. Who invented those? A medieval torturer?
So yeah, day one wasn’t exactly the motivational montage I imagined — it was more like a tragic comedy with me as the unwilling lead.
Science Says Exercise Is Good — So Why Does It Feel So Awful?
Let’s get this straight: exercise is supposed to be life-changing.
Studies preach about how workouts flood your brain with dopamine, the so-called “feel-good” chemical, and endorphins that make you feel like a superhero.
And then there’s the practical stuff: better sleep, sharper focus, and, let’s be honest, looking good enough to make that mirror check last an extra five seconds.
That’s why I decided to start in the first place.
Sure, the jacked Instagram dudes with their meal-prepped chicken and abs-for-days helped spark the idea, but the benefits sealed the deal.
I wanted the energy boost, the clearer mind, and maybe even the satisfaction of not gasping after climbing two flights of stairs.
But here’s the kicker — none of that feels remotely real when you’re sprawled on the floor after failing a pushup, wondering why your “endorphins” seem to be on vacation.
But Do I Regret It? Actually, No.
Despite the sweaty mess I became and the muscle soreness that makes sitting feel like parkour, I’ll be back tomorrow.
Why?
Because deep down, there’s a weird satisfaction in proving myself wrong.
Plus, I kind of like the idea of becoming the person who walks out of the gym like a gladiator who just conquered their workout.
So, what’s your take? Is working out worth the hype, or are we all just hamsters on fancy wheels?
Share your thoughts — and maybe your best “first gym day” horror stories — below. Just don’t try to convince me burpees are fun. I’m not that delusional.
About the Creator
Jonathan Ntshangase
Welcome to your new home away from home, where you will find relatable content, tips on how to handle certain life situations and much much much much more!('Much' kinda looks weird now, sorry ;)
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