Kosiwa

Occupational therapist Kosiwa never saw herself as ‘a gym person’ but she has grown to love it. With a stressful job and a need for release, the gym has become a key part of her routine.

Kosiwa in her gym kit

Kosiwa's story

I’ve never been a gym person. I enjoyed exercise but going to the gym was a bit scary for me. Being in a setting where everyone – or you think everyone – knows what they’re doing is daunting. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

But I decided I needed to do something so I joined the gym anyway. For at least 9 months all I did was go to classes. I didn’t feel confident accessing the weights and cardio areas. I would walk to the studio, do my class, and go. That was it until my friend joined in January and we started going together.

For at least 9 months all I did was go to classes. I didn’t feel confident accessing the weights and cardio areas.

Going with my friend made me so much more confident. I started learning about new machines and things that I never would have done previously.

I now have a nice routine and go a few times a week after work. Doing something active at the end of the day breaks it up and then I can come home and chill out. I feel positive afterwards. It releases the endorphins and I think ‘yeah I’m really proud I’ve done that’.

Doing something active at the end of the day breaks it up and then I can come home and chill out. I feel positive afterwards.

Mixing it up

Mixing it up stops me getting bored. As well as going to the gym, I go on nice walks to the forest, and I’ve learnt to ride a bike. My husband and I even bought a kayak!

I guess I’ve always enjoyed sport but not always necessarily been actively engaged in it. But now I’ve found my love of the gym and it’s part of my routine.

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