16th August 2024 marks a year since I moved to Mysore. Reflecting on the past year, I realize I’ve had some intriguing experiences and changes. Since relocating to Mysore, I’ve been aiming to improve my lifestyle but lacked the necessary motivation. However, in July 2024, during our college vacation, I found myself pondering how to spend those five days.

Fitness has always been a challenge for me—I just don’t see myself fitting into that world. In June, I visited my friend, who is a fitness enthusiast. Her husband, on the other hand, has always leaned towards junk food like I do. To my surprise, he had recently joined a gym and was both regular and enthusiastic about it. This was a sign.

When I was considering my vacation plans, I talked to a close friend who advised, “Keep yourself healthy, join a gym, and I’ll track whether you follow through!” That was a serious conversation, and it hit me hard. The next day, when my parents visited, they echoed the same advice: “Stay fit.”

So, what did I decide?

We took a drive to explore our options, and I recalled my colleague mentioning her positive experience with Pilates. I had never engaged in any structured workout before—walking occasionally was the extent of my activity. I shared the details of the Pilates studio recommended by my colleague and decided to visit it with my parents. I signed up for a trial session, which led to a month-long commitment. I had no idea what to expect, but I was genuinely impressed by the space and the overall layout of the studio.

After my trial session, I called my parents and told them, “I didn’t realize that breathing in and out could be so challenging, but I’ll keep trying.”

Kudos to Jini and Adheera for their rigorous effort in training and to Shanthi Ma’am, a fellow member, whose consistency inspires me. Who would have thought that counting from 1 to 15 could make you break a sweat? A month has passed, and I’m enjoying the sessions at Jini’s Pilates Studio. Looking back on my first year in Mysore, I’m really happy with the decision to start this training. This one month of Pilates has become a constant reminder of the importance of strengthening my core and muscles.

Thanks to my friends and family for their encouragement. As they say, “Consistency is everything… you’ll be able to do it.”