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The Workout I Hated Became My Favorite

image I’ll be honest—when I first tried running, I despised it. Every step felt like a punishment. My lungs burned, my legs screamed, and I’d glare at the clock, wondering why time crawled so slowly. I’d see people jogging effortlessly in the park, and it made me want to hurl my sneakers into the nearest bush. I told myself, “This isn’t for me.” But somehow, I kept going back

1.Why I Kept Going It started as a dare from a friend. She swore running would “change my life.” I rolled my eyes but laced up anyway. The first few weeks were torture. I’d shuffle along for 10 minutes, gasping, convincing myself I’d collapse. But then something shifted. I wasn’t fast or graceful, but I noticed I could go a little farther each time. That tiny progress hooked me. I wasn’t ready to admit it, but I started craving that feeling of pushing past what I thought I could do.

  1. The Turning Point About a month in, I hit a breakthrough. One evening, I ran for 20 minutes straight—no walking, no stopping. The sun was setting, the air was cool, and for the first time, I felt strong instead of defeated.

  2. My mind cleared. All the stress from work, the endless to-do lists—it melted away. I realized running wasn’t just about my body; it was saving my headspace too. That’s when I stopped hating it and started needing it.

4.What I Love About It Now Now, running is my therapy. I love the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground, the way my playlist syncs with my stride. It’s not about being the fastest or looking good—it’s mine. Some days, I run to sweat out a bad mood; others, I run just to feel alive. I’ve even signed up for a 5K, something I’d have laughed at a year ago. The workout I once dreaded has become my favorite because it taught me I’m tougher than I thought.

If there’s a workout you hate, give it a real shot. Not just once, but enough times to see if it clicks. It might not be running for you—maybe it’s yoga or lifting weights. Whatever it is, the thing you resist could end up being the thing you can’t live without.

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