Recently, some of you might have noticed (or maybe ignored) that I’ve started posting my daily workout stories on Instagram—updates about medals or certificates for completing 5K walks and runs. I know what some of you are thinking: “Plenty of people walk or run more than 5K every day without posting about it. Why is she showing off?” Why am I making such a big deal about my 5Ks?
There’s a little bit of a backstory.
Back in school, I was quite active in sports—but honestly, only for 3–4 years. After that, life took over: studies, then more studies, then a job, marriage, kids, more responsibilities at work, and so on. I lost touch with any form of physical exercise. During college, I dreamt of running a marathon, not even knowing how long one was. Now I know—it’s 42 kilometers! What?! And I once thought I could run that far!
Fast-forward to 2021, when I became a mother for the second time. Unlike my first delivery, I paid no attention to post-delivery care this time. I gained a lot of weight, and I knew it was suffocating me and would soon lead to serious health issues. One day, when my son had just started walking and running, I struggled to get up from the floor to chase him, and he cried. That moment jolted me inside out.
At the same time, my mornings looked like this: I would wait eagerly for my daughter to leave for school, just so I could go back to sleep. My husband would drop her at the bus stop, come back, read the newspaper, make tea, sometimes even finish it, and start getting ready for work—while I was still in bed. I’d wake up cranky and sour. I tried a few times to keep myself awake, to go for a short walk or do something, but nothing worked. All I wanted was sleep—and scrolling through social media.
But when I started struggling to keep up with my children, reality hit me. They were just beginning their lives, and they would need me around. I couldn’t let my health slip away to the point of hospital visits and endless doctor consultations. I needed to take action.
I had already failed a few times at “fixing” my diet. I always told myself, “once my son starts school, I’ll begin walking.” Well, he did start playschool and daycare, but I was still stuck.
Then, in March this year, I randomly came across a 5K Fun Run and registered for it. I had no idea how I would manage a 5K when I had only just started walking 1.5 km inside my society. I even confirmed with a friend, “5K = 5 kilometers, right?” Then I told my husband, who simply said, “Okay, great!”
Still, I was skeptical. Should I really go? An early morning drive alone to a stadium… my first-ever 5K… what if I faint halfway? (Ironically, just as I entered the stadium, the first thing I saw was an ambulance.) What if people laughed at me for walking instead of running? Where would I keep my car keys, wallet, or water bottle?
Thankfully, the two people I spoke to were incredibly supportive. They encouraged me not to give up. They said the atmosphere would boost my energy, nobody would judge me, I didn’t have to run the entire stretch, and that the vibes would be infectious. They were right.
The moment I got my first medal—the sisterhood I experienced there, the energy of reaching the finish line—everything was electrifying.
Since then, I’ve been pushing myself out of bed to stay active. Sometimes it’s a 3K or 5K walk, sometimes a jog or run, sometimes treadmill sessions, or indoor cycling. I exercise before and after, take tips from my unofficial mentors and friends, hold myself accountable when I slack off, and cheer others on. Every single time, I feel myself getting better.
For me, shifting from waiting for my daughter to go to school so I could sleep to waiting for her to go so I could work out is a big deal.
For me, pushing myself every single day to be better than yesterday is a big deal.
For me, getting a thumbs-up or a “very good progress” message from friends is a big deal.
And the greatest thing of all? Since I started sharing my workout details, at least four to five women have started their own workouts and now share their updates with me. They say I inspired them.
Many people in my neighborhood have told me they see me walking, running, or exercising in the park, and that it’s bringing a visible, positive change in my body. Slowly, it’s also bringing a positive change in my mind. My thoughts are no longer crowded with laziness and negativity—I’m filling my head with motivation and hope. I can’t say that I am all calm and nice. It is still a long way out, but there is a shift in my perspective. Even if it’s “just 5K,” it’s a big deal for me. And when women tell me I inspire them, I feel like I’ve achieved something I didn’t even know I wanted.
Weight loss? Maybe not yet. I’m taking baby steps. After years of neglect, I don’t even know how much damage I’ve done to my body. I don’t want to overexert. But I do want to keep setting small challenges for myself—because they keep me excited and motivated.
So yes, I’m not exactly a show-off… but yes, I am showing off.
5K may be small for some. But for me, every step forward is a big deal. And if my journey gets even one more person moving, I think I’ve already won.
Next step? Conscious eating. No, not dieting. But the first step is to learn to control my cravings for everything that I know is unhealthy (and totally avoidable) for my body. Don’t expect to bring all the good changes in one day. Baby steps, remember!
Cover Image Courtesy: Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
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