I don't work out to be skinny, to burn off last night's dessert, or even to look good. The first and only reason that I dedicate so much time each and every day to working out at the gym is for myself—because I enjoy the effort, dedication and drive it takes. But doing it for myself comes with a whole slew of reasons that working out makes me feel good both physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Here are five reasons I work out for me and only me:
1. Working out is an outlet for stress.
College is stressful. Finding time for school, extracurriculars, and social events can cause a lot of anxiety, and when you are constantly busy, it can be hard to find an outlet for your stress. The gym is a great place to leave all of your anxiety behind and to do what makes you feel good.
2. Each workout comes with a boost of endorphins.
Physical activity releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that have been shown to reduce anxiety, boost self-esteem, and contribute to better sleep. I come out of each and every workout excited for the day ahead of me and I'm ready to take on the world. Who doesn't want all of those benefits???
3. When I can feel myself getting stronger, I feel more motivated.
When you get into a routine of working out, you will see improvements in the way that your body works. I have been lifting consistently for the past year, and I have seen huge improvements in my physical strength. That increase in strength has made me feel like I am accomplishing something during each and every workout, and it is something that I can fall back on when it seems like other aspects of my life seem stagnant.
4. I have become mentally disciplined.
Some days will be easier than others, and in order to have a productive workout that you can feel good about, you will have to learn how to push yourself beyond being tired and unmotivated. Focus is key. For me, this translates into other aspects of my life, especially schoolwork. I never had a great attention span to work for hours at a time, but from what I've learned about mentally pushing myself to go one rep more at the gym and to focus in on the muscles that I am working, I've found that I can focus for much longer periods of time on homework and in class.
5. I look forward to working out every day.
I go to the gym in the mornings, and when my alarm goes off, I am ready to get up and start my day. I get excited about the workout that I have planned, and I can't wait to get to the gym. On rest days, it seems like I have so much time to spare, yet I feel like I'm missing something from my daily routine. Beginners at the gym— you might not experience it now, but I promise that if you stick with a consistent schedule, you'll start looking forward to your workouts and be even more motivated to work harder and achieve more.
For all of these reasons, why not start working out? If a traditional lifting routine seems intimidating to you, your college most likely offers fitness classes that are fun to attend with a few friends. Try to make a commitment to working out 3 times each week, and you'll definitely start seeing these benefits and many more!
