Work life balance

by matthew
(livonia, mi, usa)

When I was 15 years old I started working at a local fitness center. I was a pretty average guy in every way possible. I wasn't fat, but I was definitely not in shape.

After a couple months of seeing people come in and workout and get skinnier and more in shape, I realized that maybe I should too. I was used to seeing all of these beefy guys coming in to lift weights for hours and then do cardio until we closed. I never really thought about it but I just started to workout.

Soon it ballooned into a problem. I stopped eating all of the foods I loved and I blew off my friends to go to the gym if I hadn't yet gone that day.

Although it never escalated into a physical eating disorder, the diet and exercise was beginning to dominate my life (please see bigorexia - muscle dysmorphia and orthorexia for more information on different types of eating disorders). Needless to say I wasn't happy and some of my friends and family were concerned.

After my parents noticed that I was blowing off school assignments to go to the gym, they registered me for a healthy body styles class.

Thank god for this lifeline. I was able to learn before things got too serious how to properly stay fit while at the same time having a balanced lifestyle. I learned how to eat the foods that make me happy in moderation and plan my weekly intake and gym schedule that would allow me to maximize my time, priorities, and personal happiness.

I have been practicing moderation and healthy living now for seven years and couldn't be happier. Unlike some of my newer coworkers who gasp at me when I eat pizza and don't immediately go to the treadmill, I am able to enjoy life and be the in-shape guy who works the front desk as well. Win, win.