Are you struggling to get in the rhythm of exercise? Did you know that habits develop as quickly as two weeks? This means if you consistently do something for a little as 14 days, it will become a habit (good or bad). Why not use this to your advantage? Make exercise a priority in your daily life and you will become a healthier, happier individual. Just like habits, women develop doubt and are not completely informed when it comes to exercising. Many of us ladies refuse to exercise due to embarrassment, fear of the unknown, or simply lack of motivation. I am here to rescue the female athlete in all of us and encourage you to benefit your mind and body. So bear with me, and you could change your life. (Okay, so maybe just be proud to not lose your breath after walking up the stairs, but still.)

Being Strong.

No, squats won't make you look like a man. What they will make you is explosive and strong. This being said, as a female athlete, it is important we stop comparing ourselves to men. They are physically built different and produce different hormones. Plain and simply, they have an advantage. This does not mean some women can't squat 350 pounds because trust me I've seen CrossFit, and they're powerful. But this does mean, on average, a third of women will have some type of osteoporosis fracture by the age of 50 due to the lack of hormones our bodies produce as we age. So college ladies, listen up, and help yourselves while you can. Proper lifting techniques and squatting can save you from a painful aging process. Exercise is a natural medicine. It can improve how our bones age and better yet, our confidence.

Being Quick.

You'd be surprised what you can put your body through in 30 minutes. Women claim that they don't have the time. You don't need two hours to produce results in a workout. Start small and build up to where you feel comfortable. This "7 minute HIIT" will get you started on the right foot.

Being Curious.

Muscle confusion is extremely beneficial. Switch up your workouts so you don't hit a wall. The more muscles you are working, the more fat you will burn. It's important to stay fascinated by what your body can do. Stressing it through different types of exercises is so important and crucial to working the entire body.

Being Playful.

Remember that this is your time. It's time for you to think about life, laugh with a workout partner or listen to your favorite pump up playlist. Exercising is important for both mental and physical health, and you should thank your body for what it is able to do for you. In addition, don't be too serious. Yes, working out is intense and not injury-free, but find a way to be positive and joyful throughout your workout. The body is an amazing machine, and once it produces results, the process will become an addiction. It's a beautiful thing, I promise.

Personally, I have been blessed with a healthy family that has always encouraged a healthy lifestyle, and I understand that not all families support this. If this is your situation, I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Health is not a goal we set and suddenly hit the end, it is an ever-changing, ever-adapting life choice. We adapt to the changes in our body like having children, weight gain, and stress. You don't have to accept the current "you" if you're unsatisfied. What you must accept in order to grow in this life is the need for constant improvement. The reality of life is that there will always be someone stronger, healthier or happier than you. Find ways that you can benefit your own mind and body by completing little victories. The beauty of it all is that you have control over your body, how you react to the situations, and what you make out of each day.

So I leave you with this: In a society where female athletes are on the rise going through challenges is inevitable, but defeat is optional. Do not let exercise scare you and do not let it defeat you. Stay strong, stay quick, stay curious, and stay playful.