I didn't want to go to the gym today. In fact, I gave myself a million excuses for why I shouldn't go.

"You're really tired today," I told myself. "You didn't get nearly enough sleep." I thought of all the times I had used that same excuse, sometimes for days in a row.

"You got enough sleep," I decided. I needed something more.

"You've had such a busy day," I told myself. "You've worked so hard. You deserve a break."

I also decided that I deserved a body that was strong. A vessel that was healthy and prepared to take on any obstacle.

One more time, I tried to convince myself that I didn't need to go. "Think of all the things you can do tonight. You can always go tomorrow."

Sure, this excuse was strong. Maybe the strongest one I had at my disposal. But, it wasn't stronger than me, and I was bound and determined to prove it.

Working out tends to be more of a mental challenge than a physical one. There are always other things that are more important, other priorities that should be set first. In high school, working out was easy. You always had a coach to bark you out of your lazy tendencies. There was a schedule that you needed to follow in order to compete. As a typical college student, there is no such luxury. Sure, you can make a plan. But, you learn to fall in love with Netflix binges and delivery pizza, a hobby that keeps you far from the gym.

But, the day comes when you realize you need to get serious about your health again. You swap the pizza boxes and easy mac for yogurt, cottage cheese, and more chicken than you have ever seen in your life. Lattes become low fat and you drink so much water that you spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else. And, at some point in the day, you muster up the motivation to get to the gym.

But, once you're there, nothing else matters. Nothing compares to the way your body feels after you've pushed yourself in a workout. Your muscles are tired, but your spirit is high. Why was is so hard to get here in the first place? How could I forget how good this feels?

Working out shouldn't be a chore. You should work out because you love yourself. Stay active doing whatever you love most. If you like to lift weights, you lift the weights. If it's taking a jog in the park, make time in the day. There are a million different ways to give your body the movement it needs. You deserve to live in a body that is filled with

Now, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take days off. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have days where you lay on the couch and let yourself eat junk all day. You have earned the occasional treat.

Whether you work out or not, it should be because you love yourself. Work out because you care about what's happening in your body. Take the night off because you know you deserve it. But, nonetheless, keep giving to yourself. You're so worth it.