Journal Entry #16: My Brother Spent The Holidays Telling Relatives His Sister Lifts Weights, Not Him

“This holiday season made me realize that people automatically expect women to be in shape without any intense physical exertion, especially not coming from any exercises deemed only appropriate for men.”

Today is my rest day. And as soon as I opened my eyes from a deep sleep I immediately felt the soreness and excruciating pain I tuckered out from.

My smith machine is hands-down one of my best investments of 2021. I spent months agonizing over whether I should buy a smith machine or a Bowflex. I figured I wouldn’t like cable training in the long run, so I purchased the machine along with a 300 pound weight set. I have yet to regret my decision.

Because gyms give me anxiety I decided to build one in the basement. I no longer wanted to stress about other people’s germs and sweat or worry if I was taking too long on a machine someone else wanted to use. Because I work out in the comfort of my home I can take as long as I want to. I can crank out a quick 45 minute pump or drag it out for 3 hours. I can exercise at 4 PM or 4 AM if I can’t sleep. If I need a quick snack mid-workout I can run upstairs to grab some fruit. I can use the bathroom and not worry about anyone taking my spot.