I spent over a decade obsessed with the gym. I’ve finally let myself stop

Zahra Khozema, a Toronto-based freelance journalist, shared her journey of breaking free from a 15-year gym obsession in a CBC First Person column published January 2, 2026. She began working out in university, initially finding empowerment and beauty in fitness, but later experienced guilt and stress. Over the years, she spent over $8,000 on memberships, sign-up fees, commutes, and race entries. Her routine included running 5K and weightlifting 3-4 times weekly, plus participating in races and events like the CN Tower Climb. The pandemic intensified her obsession when she got a fitness tracking watch, leading to constant comparison and self-surveillance. After losing her full-time job in fall 2025 and moving to freelance work, she struggled to maintain her routine. In July 2025, she finally paused her gym membership, finding relief and exploring gentler forms of activity like walking 5,000 steps a few times weekly.