Last week, I got my gym membership reinstated. The last few mornings, now that I am mentally well, I am looking forward to working on my physical wellness so I can be on the path to getting healthier.

Recently, there have been a lot of studies where individuals with mental health challenges experienced physical health problems. Over the past two decades, my weight has creeped over 200 pounds two years ago and now since I am the best mentally that I have been in quite some time, I know I need to work on other parts of being well. Physical Health seemed to be the no-brainer.

I have been in gyms for most of my life. Early experiences were quite traumatic and fortunately, the first gym is no longer in existence, although it was near a family member’s house, but they no longer are alive nor does my family have any connection to it. I was this come and go kind of gym member. I would join with all intentions of making progress, yet I wouldn’t do what was needed, primarily because of living with my parents, eating unhealthy foods out of boredom to find personal pleasure.

Now that things are starting to be on the better side of the world, I have started to become more dedicated than I ever have been. Since my mental health episode over a month ago, I have been much better in documenting my food intake and mood. Caffeine and anxiety are essentially non-existent. I can now allow myself the dedication that I need to get back on track physically.

Getting here wasn’t easy. As is with anything new that I do, I am apprehensive about things I am unaware about.  I often feel as if I am going to be told about myself or that I am going to be judged for doing something different than others do. Then, I had to learn that I must dance to the beat of my own drum and do what is needed for me to flourish in society. While that may look different than what others are used to, I presently feel no judgement being shadowed upon myself for the efforts I have made.

I stated earlier that I paid for the gym benefits for a previous gym pre-COVID and did not change it to the gym I am at now for three years out of great anxiety. However, this location works much better than the old one for me and living where I live in relation to it is a no brainer. While I did try to start back in the spring of this year before my mental health declined, I was back to the habit of not going.

Fast forward six months later. I am in a much better position mentally. I can see clearly and am nowhere near as anxious as I once was. I have gone to the gym the last few times and feel 100 times better. I know that it is something that I need to do to combat the effects of wanting to eat continuously due to the side effects of my medication. Thus, I can no longer play the blame gain for gaining weight by doing what is really needed to be done to be well, both mentally and physically.

I used to be the King of All Excuses about why I couldn’t do something. Now that I am on the right track and starting to make healthier habits. This is just another spoke in the wheel of what needs to be done to maintain optimum wellness. When discussing my first visit with my family over the weekend, we concluded that any type of progress is progress! Just getting there on my own and getting through the door is a big step in the right direction.

Sometimes you must have that “aha” moment. Throughout this Perfect Storm that I have experienced in turning my life around, I realize that this is a necessity to be well and be able to live the life that I want to the fullest. Sure, it takes some effort too, but when you do it, you feel so proud of yourself.