How I Conquered My Fitness Journey as a Student
One year ago, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a skinny guy who felt out of place. The looks, the whispers, and the constant bullying left me with a feeling of inadequacy that I couldn’t shake. I was the “beanpole” in school, the one who couldn’t even lift a bag of groceries without struggling. And to make matters worse, I was a CA student, so long hours in front of a screen, textbooks piled high, and barely any time for physical activity made it seem impossible to ever change. But little did I know, that moment of feeling worthless would turn into a year-long journey that would transform my life, both physically and mentally.
-The Breaking Point: Bullying and Self-Doubt
Growing up, I was always the scrawny kid. In school, the bullying was relentless. People would comment on my weight, or rather, my lack of it. "You look like you could snap in the wind," they’d joke, or "When's the last time you ate something?" These comments stung, and they stayed with me.
By the time I got into CA, the academic pressure had already taken its toll. I was sitting at a desk for hours, my posture hunched, only to get up feeling weak and fatigued. But it was in the midst of this that something clicked. I was tired of feeling insecure. I was tired of seeing others hit the gym and build their strength while I stayed in the same place. I decided to do something about it.
-The Decision: Starting My Fitness Journey
One day, after yet another round of teasing from some classmates about my appearance, I walked into the gym. It was intimidating. I had no clue what I was doing, but I didn’t let that stop me. I started with basic exercises: squats, push-ups, and some light dumbbell work. I was weak, and my body wasn’t used to any form of physical activity. But I knew this was the beginning of something important.
Being a CA student, time was limited. I couldn’t afford long gym sessions, so I made every minute count. I started following short, high-intensity workouts, sometimes just 30 minutes a day, five times a week. I focused on compound movements like deadlifts, bench presses, and pull-ups. Slowly but surely, I started seeing changes—not just in my body, but in my mindset.
-The Transformation: Inside and Out
Fast forward to today, and I can hardly recognize the person I was a year ago. Physically, I’ve gained muscle mass, and I’m stronger than I ever thought I could be. I no longer feel like the weak, skinny guy who couldn’t lift his own body weight. But the transformation isn’t just physical. The discipline I’ve gained through the gym has seeped into my studies, too. I’ve learned to push through discomfort, to stay consistent, and to work towards my goals every single day.
The bullying hasn’t completely disappeared—people still talk, but it doesn’t affect me the way it used to. I’ve grown confident in my own skin, and that confidence carries me through all aspects of life. The gym has taught me that nothing worth having comes easy, and that the only limits I have are the ones I set for myself.