8 Things A Gym Rat Wants You To Know Before Dating Her

Hi, my name is Sheena and I'm a gym-o-holic.

It is somewhat of an obsession. And no, it's not because I want to look a certain way. It's more because it makes me feel a certain way: invincible, powerful, in control, happy.

If you're in a long-term relationship with the gym like I am, you know that between your full-time job, seeing your friends and just having some down-time, it's incredibly difficult to make time for dating.

When I finish work, I just want to work out and call it a day. The last thing I want to do is get to know some random stranger.

Some people call me selfish for prioritizing the gym, but those people don't understand me. The gym and I go way back, and I can't exactly say that about any guy I've ever dated.

And hey, to all you complainers: You can't deny that being addicted to the gym is a million times better than being addicted to drugs.

Regardless, here are 8 things all the other single gym rats out there need you to know before dating us.

1. We won't necessarily turn you into a gym addict...

Look, we're not part of some greater movement to recruit everyone in the world into gym rats. At the same token, it would be kind of nice to have a boyfriend that enjoys working out with his girlfriend. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone: We can hang and we can get our sweat on.

2. ...But it's still important to us that you take care of yourself.

I'm not some judgmental freak, but the way I see it is if I'm spending hours a week to take care of myself, I expect the same of my partner.

3. The gym has always been important to our mental health...

I go to the gym because it helps me sleep better and I desperately need the endorphins after a never-ending day.

I will never stop needing endorphins, and I've also had sleep troubles for quite a while, so you need to know that, within reason, I can't sacrifice gym time for just shooting the shit with you on a day you happen to get out of work early.

The routine of gym rats can't just be thrown like that. You and I can schedule around the gym or do something after the gym, but don't expect anything else, especially when we're still in the initial stages of dating.

4. ...And it will continue to be, even if you provide us with happiness.

It doesn't matter if we make it to the tenth date or if we live happily ever after. The gym will forever be our #1.

TRUST ME, we single gym rats will never let ourselves become those girls who make a habit of sitting on the couch and eating ice cream with you, no matter how comfortable our relationship gets.

5. We haven't figured you out yet, but we know the gym will never let us down.

My dating history is messy. Guys have let me down over and over again.

But there's been one constant thing in my life I can always fall back on, a crutch that doesn't discriminate against what I'm going through or what kind of mood I'm in. That is the gym, and you need to remember we're going to start off a little biased, leaning in favor of the gym.

We want you to be the guy who changes our mind, so be that guy.

Guys have let me down over and over again. But there's been one constant thing in my life: the gym.

6. We're exceptionally good in bed.

Self-explanatory, but I'll explain, anyway. We're used to moving around, lifting things and being flexible. If you're lucky enough to take us for a spin, we will blow your friggin' mind.

7. If we choose the gym over you, it's because we're just not that into you.

I only drop my gym plans under three conditions: If a friend or family is in trouble, if I'm just not feeling that great or if the guy of my dreams wants to see me.

So if we've gone on a few dates and I'm still choosing the gym over you, you didn't make the cut. My sincerest apologies.

8. You'll come first, as long as you play your cards right.

Don't mess up. Plain and simple. You do that, and I'll choose to have a relationship with both you AND the gym.