Have you always been someone who wanted to achieve their dream physique and be healthier? Now that we've entered a new year it's a perfect time to get a start on your goals. Lately, I've been reflecting upon my journey to achieving the physique I've always wanted and wanted to share the process with you. I faced numerous mental and physical challenges along the way, but as a result learned some valuable lessons that can hopefully help you on your own path to transformation.

I had always been the skinny, weak guy who was full of ambition. I had always admired physically active people and aspired to be like them. As I started my journey I realised it took more than just physical effort to become the new me; it also included a mental marathon. One of the most significant mental barriers for me was the scepticism of others around me. Many people around me dismissed my goals as unrealistic. Self-doubt also crept in, especially when other people looked down on me, but I held on tightly to my belief and trust in myself.

I want to highlight that developing strength and muscle takes time. Everybody wants to take the magical pill that takes them a step closer to their dreams. But as it's rightly said, 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. My recurring enemies were impatience and self-doubt. I had doubts about whether or not my current routine was helping me. However, being consistent and making gradual improvements helped me get the results I wanted.

The bombardment of 'perfect' physique posts on social media feeds was also challenging for me to deal with. Those photographs kept making me feel unworthy, which led to frustration. Little did I know that most of those photographs were photoshopped to make them look more impressive. I gradually learned that social media doesn't usually provide the right picture and how changes in our bodies take place over long periods of consistently putting in the effort.

While I put in a lot of effort myself, I would also like to express my gratitude to my parents and close friends. They encouraged me to keep a strong mind and gave me the mental strength to keep working at it. Their support gave me that constant little push necessary to reach my goals. It took me a while to discover that maintaining my motivation required praise and recognition of my small but constant accomplishments.  

Enjoying every moment of the journey and trusting the process is crucial. The fact that I still had a long way to go kept me motivated and committed to staying consistent. Once it becomes a habit, you will love how it just naturally becomes a part of your lifestyle. Exercise releases endorphins, which uplift your mood by making your day better instantly. I used to dread going to the gym but now it is something I look forward to in my day. My past struggles with mental health have turned into valuable lessons that help me grow. It all comes down to how resilient and flexible I can be in my thinking.

I’m happy with my physique now, but it definitely took a lot of effort and resilience to get here. It was a truly remarkable journey that I will always admire whenever I look back. I hope sharing it helps other people who have been willing to achieve their goals but just needed the spark. The beautiful thing about working out is how well it translates to daily life, making everyday tasks easier and helping you become a confident person.