Recently, I've noticed a very startling and frankly, troubling sub-culture within my school. Maybe it's not fair to blame my school, because it extends beyond the walls of K, but I've noticed it here more than anywhere else.

It seems to me that while the health and exercise movement are still going strong on social media and in the world in general, there are more than a select few people here that consider this to be "douchey".

Confession time: I was one of them last year. I didn't hate on exercise in general, but I definitely wasn't out there promoting it. I rolled my eyes at the shaker bottles and the gym frequenters I saw on campus and thought there must've been something better for them to do than work out.

But then... a change of heart occurred and I became one of those people. Someone who tried hard to get to the gym at least three times a week and started to care about my muscle tone and fitness levels.

And at first, I actually felt guilty. Isn't that actually kind of crazy?? That I was so influenced by the small group of people saying that physically bettering yourself is so stupid that every time I worked out I felt a little embarrassed at how great I felt.

Since then, I've started to wonder why this opinion exists? Why is exercise and self improvement such a bad thing to those people? Why are protein shakes annoying and ab workouts pretentious?

Maybe it's because there are the select few who seem to live at the gym and never talk about anything but that. I agree that can get a little old, solely because I personally believe there is more to life than fitness. Then again, to each their own. If that's your passion, why shouldn't you be able to talk about it?

Or maybe, those that detest fitness and let's be honest, health, say those things from a place of misunderstanding. A place of low self esteem induced misunderstanding that manifests into irritation and ostracism. But doesn't it seem unfair to hate something until you have tried it for yourself? Or something that you just don't enjoy doing? For instance, I don't love nor have I ever tried swimming competitively but I certainly don't hate on those that do!

Here's a couple facts: working out doesn't make you an asshole. Protein shakes are loaded with vitamins and taste like a healthy milkshake. Being active increases life expectancy and honestly, life quality. Some of those things were general knowledge!

Since actively trying to become healthier and more fit, I've become increasingly mentally healthier and my self confidence is a ten fold higher than it used to be. I'm not saying that you have to work out to feel good about yourself or that you have to work out in general, but I will leave you with the plea to encourage those around you who are being active to keep doing so and be open minded to the lifestyle.