Amidst the fast-paced, chaotic life, if there is anything that helps me slow down, reflect on myself, and introspect, it’s going to the gym or working out. Most often, people visit the gym to stay fit, lose weight, cope with emotional stress, etc. Sooner or later, a gym becomes a sacred place for all honest fitness enthusiasts.

I started hitting the gym to become fit and gradually, it made me reflect upon myself and listen to the thoughts that run in my head. On introspection, I discovered that these thoughts include my insecurities, lack of self-esteem, and some funny distractions. So, in this blog, I have attempted to describe the different thoughts that run in my head while I am in the gym:

Inspirational/Motivational thoughts

In the gym, although surrounded by many people, the only one who can ultimately motivate you to do your best is you. Sure, there might be some trainers who encourage you or you see someone doing a workout that you someday aspire to do. However, only if you motivate yourself in your head, you will be able to achieve the results that you desire. Here are some of such thoughts:

1. I have so much energy today; I probably may try to break one of my PRs!
2. <Impressed by someone’s workout> Wow! That’s impressive form and weight. Inspiring!
3. I am tired today but as I am planning to take a rest day tomorrow, I must do something in the gym; Probably some cardio for starters might push me.

Existential Crisis

A gym is one such place that helps you address some of your life’s hardest moments. When you are working out, you get a chance to reflect upon the choices and decisions of your life. Sometimes, it could just be healthy and funny banter with yourself but mostly, it helps you understand yourself a little better. Here are some of such thoughts that I get:

1. Damn! Why is life a torture? Why do I have to work out? Why do I need to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
2. What is the point of life when you have to put so much effort all the time?
3. I miss those days when I used to have a hot cup of Filter Coffee <Yawns>

Thoughts of self-appreciation

It’s easy to get lost in questioning your confidence when you are working out in a huge crowd. It’s intimidating and sometimes, a little appreciation takes you to a whole new level of motivation to do your best. That is probably the reason one must show some love to their bodies as they are working hard to function every day. On that note, here are some of such motivational thoughts that I say to myself:

1. I am getting stronger every day. I like this new version of me.
2. Not my best day, but, I still went through it, that’s an achievement I can settle for.
3. Finally!! I pushed through and did my workout for the day. Now I can go ahead and eat that biryani for lunch!

Questioning your fitness level/expertise

Again, it is intimidating when you are working out in public where there are experts who are doing amazing. Sometimes, when you see such an expert, a seed of doubt is planted in your head. That’s when we usually start questioning what we are doing. And it doesn’t help if a random stranger is staring at you and making weird facial expressions as it may make you feel like you are doing something wrong. Here are some of such thoughts:

1. Am I doing this workout right? Is my form okay?
2. Do I look embarrassing doing this workout?
3. I look like a fool in front of all these experts, do they make fun of me?

Forgetfulness

Surprisingly enough, every time I am in the gym, I mostly tend to forget what I am doing and just stare at some corner, lost in thoughts. I even forget why I took a dumbbell when I knew what I had to do before picking the dumbbell. Well, one of those days, ay? Here are some of those thoughts:

1. I had a workout plan today, what was that? Is it Leg Day today? Where is my workout plan?
2. Wait! Was that my second set or third set?
3. One, two, three, four, <a distraction>, wait, where was I? Six?

Funny Distractions

And last but not least, I get distracted so much in the gym. It’s like I am the Shih Tzu in the gym world. A little movement in my peripheral vision and I suddenly forget what I am doing. Thank god for muscle memory! Here are some of those weird distractions:

1. “I like to move it move it, you like to move it move it, we like to MOVE IT!! – God! Why is this song stuck in my head?
2. I should’ve probably said what I thought in that meeting yesterday. Sometimes keeping quiet does not help much.
3. I wonder if I can have a burger meal today for dinner. Nope, no heavy carbs before bedtime!
4. What was the title of that book that I thought I should add to my reading list?

Conclusion

Well, these are some of the thoughts that run rent-free in my head. While some go to the gym to maintain a healthy lifestyle, I go to the gym to just maintain my mental sanity. Did any of these thoughts resonate with you? Or do you have some thoughts that you would like to add? Share in the comments.