The sun is out, the grass is green and somewhere, far beyond final exams and the city limits of my little town, a beach is waiting. Bikinis are making their seasonal appearance on store racks, and articles and ads are making their seasonal appearance everywhere else, offering the secret to finally “getting that beach body.” Because, apparently, just having your body at the beach doesn’t qualify.
Let’s not get confused here—working out is great and being in shape is good for you, but “getting that beach body” is a terrible reason to engage in any activity. Here are five better reasons for working out.
1. Surviving the zombie apocalypse.
Or, you know, just surviving in general. Exercise—especially a good cardio workout—makes you likely to live longer—4.5 times longer, according to one study. Honestly, cardio is my nemesis. I hate running or, really, any exercise that makes it hard to breathe. Give me yoga or bicep curls any day. But cardio is super important, not only for your health, but also for being able to keep up with people and, y'know, finish an entire volleyball game. Pro tip: get your dog or best friend to run with you. Company and accountability is where it’s at.
2. Fighting anxiety and depression.
Did you know that aerobic exercise significantly reduces anxiety and depression? At a time when half of college students are at risk for stress, anxiety and depression, getting in your morning workout is a simple way to fight back for a better frame of mind.
3. #Winning.
I’m not kidding. I have brothers. We are highly competitive. Never mind this whole “beach body” shenanigans—the important thing is being able to climb as high, run as far, or play as hard as the people I’m around. You may not have brothers, but there’s probably someone you want to keep up with. Get prepped to win!
4. Adventuring
Adventure may strike at any time, whether it’s that backpacking trip you’ve been planning for a year or a spontaneous pick-up game of soccer. You never know when the moment will come that you’ll wish you’d strengthened your muscles and increased your endurance. And, of course, because you can’t always know in advance what type of adventure you’ll find yourself on, it’s best to be completely prepared beforehand.
5. Feeling good
Working out releases endorphins—chemicals in your brain that make you feel happy—and achieving goals boosts your confidence. Whether it's a number of reps, a record time or distance, a certain amount of weight, or just that satisfied feeling at the end of a workout, exercise makes you feel better about yourself and the world around you. Plus, working out gives you a great excuse to wear all that cute athleisure gear you bought!
Working out isn’t about meeting some impossible cultural standard of beauty. It’s not about the number of pounds you do or don’t drop, and it’s not about the size or shape of your body. It’s about engaging in a healthy discipline, feeling good about yourself, and being able to throw yourself without reservation into activities you love with people you care about.
So this summer…yeah. Work out. But don’t do it for “that beach body”—do it for yourself.
