Zahra Khozema, a Pakistani Canadian journalist residing in Toronto, recently shared her personal journey with fitness and mental health struggles. After nearly 15 years of consistent workouts, she made the difficult decision to pause her gym membership due to the toll it was taking on her well-being. Growing up, Zahra faced body image comments from family members, which influenced her relationship with her body as she grew older.
Following a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome at 17, Zahra viewed working out as a necessary responsibility to manage her health. Throughout university, she maintained a rigorous gym routine, participating in races and climbing challenges. While the gym provided structure and a sense of empowerment, it also became a source of self-surveillance, particularly exacerbated by fitness tracking technology during the pandemic.
As her freelance schedule became unpredictable, Zahra struggled to maintain her gym routine, eventually leading to the decision to pause her membership. She embraced new forms of physical activity, such as walking on an at-home treadmill, prioritizing self-kindness and overall well-being over the pressure to conform to certain fitness standards. Zahra’s story highlights the importance of finding a balanced approach to health and fitness that prioritizes self-care and mental well-being.