Bodybuilder finds love, self-esteem in the gym

At the 2020 Ningxia Bodybuilding Championships, 26-year-old Lu Fangfang struck a multitude of poses under the spotlight to display her perfectly sculpted muscles to the judges and audience.

"It may sound unbelievable that I was fat. I used to hate sports and would never choose to walk if there was a taxi," said Lu, who has suffered many embarrassing moments, including difficulty drawing blood during a health examination in 2017 that left her redfaced.

That same year, Lu decided to get fit and started going to the gym. She spent at least three hours every day doing exercises and had to change her clothes several times during her workout because she was sweating so much.

"I was exhausted every night when I went to bed, but I'm proud that I made it," Lu said. "I felt a great sense of achievement by persisting, and it made me addicted to the workouts."

Regular exercise and a better body shape, helped restore Lu's self-confidence, but the biggest bonus came in 2018 when she found love in the gym.

"The first time I saw her, I knew this girl with the big smile must be very positive and energetic," recalled Kang Jiaxin, Lu's husband.

In October last year, the two became engaged. At the end of the year, during a marathon in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, Lu crossed the finish line wearing a white veil and threw herself into Kang's arms. Many of the other runners dubbed her "the most beautiful bride" in the race.

"I was waiting for her at the finish line. The moment she ran to hug me the great happiness and excitement almost took my breath away," Kang said.

Sports symbolize romance for the young couple. Lu, who is a basketball fan, runs 11.30 kilometers on Nov 30 every year to celebrate Kang's birthday.

The couple also runs set distances and times to mark their wedding anniversary which falls on May 20.

"The numbers have similar pronunciation to our Chinese expression of 'lifelong love'," Lu said. "Sports offer a sense of ceremony so that life isn't so boring."

Keeping fit, running and other forms of exercise have become indispensable parts of the couple's life. Lu exercises at least two hours every day, and has run multiple marathons around the country over the past two years, collecting many medals.

"She ran about 60 long-distance events last year, and I waited at the end each time to record the moment she crossed the finish line," Kang said. "It's important for me to always be at her side and give her support before and after a race."

Lu wants to share her self-improvement through sports with other young people. Two years ago, she founded Yixin Women's Running Club in Yinchuan, attracting over 70 members with an average age of 27. "It's hard to describe the feeling of helping others become better, but I love it," she said.

Zhang Xuefang, 23, met Lu at a cycling event. After joining the club, she has lost about 10 kilograms and exercises three or four times a week.

She said she hardly misses any club activities. "Lu is so positive and self-disciplined, and I want to be just like her by doing sports," Zhang said.

Recently, Lu and her husband began studying sports theory and the couple plan to open a fitness studio. "We hope more people can benefit from sports with courage and confidence when facing difficulties," Lu said.