My Fitness Journey.
– Shalaka Jathar.
I started my fitness journey because, I wanted to feel better in my own skin, to look toned, feel confident and finally take control of how I saw myself. It wasn’t about chasing perfection. I just wanted to feel stronger and feel proud when I looked in the mirror.
My fitness journey dates back to my college days in Pune. My first ever gym was STATUS gym on Bhandarkar road.
Back then I was a petite, delicate, slim girl. I wanted a toned body and hence joined a gym.
The myth – gymming is to lose weight. In fact gymming is for a healthy, fit, toned body and hence with that in mind my fitness journey began.
In between there was a break, as I got married, then conceived and other things. But after I shifted to Belgaum, I joined the gym again. My first gym in Belgaum was FIGURE TONE owned by our beloved PP Kirti Tembe. I have such lovely memories about the gym and my workout there. Ever since, there has been no looking back.
I have been doing strength and weight training for the past 18 years consistently. It has helped me tremendously in building strength, mobility, endurance, stamina and a toned body. This has helped me with my running too. I can run 10 kms nonstop at a good pace. I resumed cycling three years ago. I was introduced to Venugram cycling club.
I hadn’t touched a bicycle since my school days. But thanks to my strength training, I have excelled in cycling long distance, steep elevations, non stop endurance rides of 100 kms and more. I have pedalled all the way to Goa through Chorla ghat, Rajhansgad Yellur, Pargad, Mahipalgad, Dandeli, Ramnagar, Shiroda etc.
Cycling is my new passion and I have been inducted as a board member in Venugram cycling club., of course gymming is my first love and still continues to be.
For me Gymming is everyday, cycling twice a week weekends being long rides and running twice a week.
Fitness gives me a high (in a good sense) I am always looking out for challenges, setting PRs and improving myself continuously.
My personal records (PR) so far are –
Weight training-dead lift 95 kgs aiming for 100 kgs
Cycling-160 kms at a stretch aiming for 200 kms non stop.
Done n dusted 75 Hindu push-ups in less than 5 mins nonstop. Now aiming for 100 push-ups. Aiming to Improve pace and timing of my running.
FITNESS has taught me things I never learned in school
1. Discipline-to show up even when I don’t feel like.
2. Patience-to trust the process when results feel far away.
3. Resilience-to rise again after every set back
4. Confidence-not from how I look, but from what I have overcome.
There were days when I doubted myself. Days I wanted to quit.
But fitness reminded me that progress isn’t always visible, sometimes it’s in how you carry yourself and how you keep going.
Fitness is my passion because it changed my life from the inside out. It gave me a purpose. it helped me heal. It helped me how to fight, not against my body, but for it.
I don’t chase perfection anymore, I chase strength, peace and presence, because every time I train I m not just building muscle, I m building the version of me that I’m proud of. Whether they sweat beside you or support from afar, the right friends become part of your transformation
Throughout my fitness journey, my friends have played a vital role.
Behind every rep, every run, everyday I didn’t quit – there was someone cheering me on. A friend a buddy who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, friend who said “let’s go together” when I was ready to give up. The workout buddy pushing me through one last set, calling me every morning to go to the gym, accompanying me on rides and runs.
We celebrated milestones together, not just weight lost but also muscles gained, conquering elevations and distances during rides.
A right friend becomes part of your transformation and fitness journey. And I can proudly say, I was lucky to have a friend throughout.
Fitness may be a solo journey, but I never walked it alone.
After so many years of being into fitness journey, I can say I am a proud gymmer, cyclist and a runner. It’s more than just a routine or a way to stay in shape it’s the fire that fuels my mind, body & soul. Every workout, every drop of sweat, every challenge I push through reminds me of what I m capable of. This journey is mine and I’m proud of every step I take.
Many people discouraged me and commented on my weight training in the past, trying to pull me out of this, but there were others who truly supported and encouraged me. My parents, my son, my fitness buddy are my real heroes, motivation and support.
Now I have friends majorly from fitness circle and we share our workouts achievements milestones everyday and encourage each other to do more. l prefer fitness activities more than partying. My fitness journey will continue till my body and mind supports me. From a delicate petite girl I have transformed into a strong woman both mentally and physically.
Suggestions and advice to my friends reading this
1. Strength is not masculine, it’s universal
2. Be consistent
3. You need not be extreme
4. Food is not your enemy
5. Progress is not just physical
6. Be proud of your journey
7. Small injuries keep happening, overcome them, never give up,
8. Your journey, your pace.
9. You don’t have to be perfect, start small. Stay consistent, lift because you can, rest because you deserve it.
So in the end I can say …
I am a proud ‘35 year old‘, born in 1975.
–Shalaka Jathar, VCC Belgaum
Inspiring
Thoughtfully penned
All the best
Mind Blowing Journey.May God Give more strength to achieve your target.
Well articulated indeed
Keep up the good work and encourage your peers and parents too….
Set a benchmark for yourself and stay on course
Your journey is truly inspiring!
With consistency, hard work, and a positive mindset, you’ve truly built a strong and powerful personality.
Whether it’s gym, cycling, or running – everything you’ve achieved is commendable.
What you’ve shared truly touches the heart.
Keep spreading this inspiration. Hats off to your determination!