It seems like society wants to push us into believing that we should take part in exercising in order to shape our bodies in a way to gain attention from others. Workouts should not be done with the end goal to look like a certain girl in your class. You shouldn’t go on a run on because you want to impress others. Wanting to get compliments from others for your dedication to the gym is probably not the healthiest way to approach fitness.

I understand that these things might be used as a source of motivation for some people. And I think that's fine but to an extent. But if your main, if not only, reason for starting a fitness regime is because you want your body to look a particular way for the praise of others... that's not right. It's not your fault, though. It's how society has trained us to think about matters regarding our bodies.

It's hard to change this toxic mode of thinking, but it's definitely possible. You have to realize that you should exercise primarily for yourself, not for others. If you want to change how your body looks, make sure it's because you want it. If you want to exercise on a daily basis, it should be because you like to do it, not because you feel like you have to do it.

There are many benefits to exercising that relate to you and you only - exactly like it's supposed to be. You should exercise because it’s great stress reliever. If I’m feeling stressed out or overwhelmed, I like to get on the elliptical machine and listen to music. After a day full of sitting in class, it’s nice to be able to carve out some time for me. Also, you should regularly hit the gym because the physical activity will help improve your mood and overall mental health. This includes lowering your risk of depression. Sleep quality and longevity can even be improved by exercising. These are just a few of the great benefits that come with being active.

There’s plenty of enjoyable ways to get moving. If the weather is nice out, find a nature trail or even just your neighborhood. Yoga is known be a great way to relax and stretch out your muscles. There are literally limitless possibilities when it comes to finding an enjoyable physical activity.

Next time you're about to exercise, think clearly about why you are going to do it. If you truly want to exercise for yourself and want to experience the benefits that it will bring you personally, then great. But if the first thing that pops into your head is that you want your stomach to be flatter and your thighs to be thinner in order to impress others, it might be time to re-evaluate your motivations.