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You’ve decided to prioritize your physical and emotional health. You’re not satisfied with the way you look. You’re ready to commit. You want to become a gym rat, or as we prefer to call it, a gym ~unicorn~. Sounds like you have the right mindset and are ready to begin.

However, before you become a daily gym-goer, there are some things you should know:

1. You won’t have more energy in the beginning

One of the perks of going to the gym is that you get more energy, ironically, after exerting more energy. It may take weeks, even a couple of months, of going to the gym regularly before you start to see the energy-boosting effects.

2. It’s a lifestyle 

You’ll want to talk about the #gym more and more and will have to curb yourself from talking about your #gains or #losses with others.

3. You’ll become more critical of your appearance  

Everyone has physical things about themselves they dislike. However, when you’re actively trying to change those things about your body that you dislike, and those changes aren’t happening (quickly enough), you get really frustrated and critical of yourself.

4. Locker rooms are what you make of it 

If you want to have a sauna-to-shower hook up, you can definitely make that happen. If you’re not looking for anything, keep eye contact to a minimum.

5. It’s not weird to ask someone to spot you 

If you need a spot, don’t be afraid to ask. Doesn’t matter how much you’re lifting. Guys injure themselves daily because they're too afraid to ask. 

6. It’s addicting 

But hey, there are worse addictions than the gym. You’ll find yourself wanting (needing) to go even on your supposed off days.

7. Do not skip leg day

Do not do it. You will look like a fool.

8. Don’t be afraid to eat more 

If you are going to the gym regularly, make sure you’re eating. Skipping meals and going to the gym is not a healthy or effective way to lose fat.

9. You will become more vain 

It’s an inevitable side effect that comes from working out consistently. The vanity doesn’t take the form of “Look how hot I am!” It takes a subtler form. When you’re looking in the mirror constantly, searching for improvements, don’t forget, you’re still looking at yourself in the mirror constantly…

10. You’ll be more attracted to muscular men 

When you see guys lifting, you see the intensity and dedication in their eyes. You see the hours of hard work they’ve spent sculpting themselves. You see the sacrifices they’ve made. You see the beads of sweat drip from their glistening muscles. Suddenly, something changes in you. You’re attracted to them physically, yes, but even more so, to their work ethic. They are there every day. Day or shine. That’s something pretty admirable (and sexy).