The sun had just started to rise when Lara tied her sneakers and zipped up her hoodie. Today was different. For the first time in her life, she was heading to a gym — or as they called it in her new town, a teretana. She had passed the building many times before, its bold red sign catching her eye, but it always felt like a place for other people. Fit people. Confident people. Not her. But this morning, something shifted.
She had moved to this town a few weeks ago for work, leaving behind friends, family, and her comfort zone. With no one around to recognize her or judge her, she figured — why not try something new?
As she stepped into the gym, the smell of rubber mats and faint music hit her. The receptionist, a tall woman with a bright smile, welcomed her warmly. “First time?” she asked. Lara nodded, a little nervous. “No worries,” the woman said. “We’ve all been there.”
Lara was given a short tour — rows of treadmills, weight machines, free weights, and a mirrored studio for classes. Everyone around her seemed to know what they were doing. One guy was lifting weights so heavy they clanked like thunder when he dropped them. A group of women were stretching in perfect unison in the studio. Lara took a deep breath. Just focus on your own pace, she told herself.
She started on the treadmill. Slow walk. Then a light jog. Her heart pounded — not just from the effort, but from the feeling of doing something unfamiliar. After ten minutes, her cheeks were red and her ponytail had loosened, but she felt… good. Better than expected.
Next, she tried a few machines. She read the diagrams, adjusted the seats, and pushed or pulled as best she could. It wasn’t graceful, but it was something. A young trainer walked by and offered a tip on posture. “Keep your back straight when you press,” he said kindly. She smiled and thanked him. It didn’t feel like judgment — it felt like support.
By the end of her 45-minute visit, Lara had broken a sweat, discovered muscles she didn’t know she had, and most importantly, overcome her fear of starting. She sat for a moment on a bench near the lockers, sipping water, heart still beating fast but mind unusually calm.
Outside, the town was waking up. People were heading to work, the bakery across the street was opening, and the sky was brightening. Lara walked home feeling taller, lighter — not physically, but emotionally. She had taken the first step, and it felt powerful.
She didn’t know if she’d become a gym regular or a fitness fanatic. But one thing was clear: this morning, Lara did something brave. She showed up for herself. And that was more than enough.
