As you all know, working out is not only important for your physical health, but for your mental health. I can talk about how I was such a "gym rat" in high school and how I was once a swimming state champion, but I look at myself now sitting at my desk and working on homework and I ask myself "Where did that fire go?". I feel like I'm spending more time sitting down and working out my brain than I am working out my body. After finally getting the motivation to go to the gym this past week, I realize now that its important for me to take time and work on my own personal health and here are five reasons that I believe it's important to work out in college.

1. It raises your self confidence

Before I started a regular workout routine in high school, I didn't exactly like my body. I was really skinny and I felt like I wasn't as pretty or as fit as the girls around me. Once I started getting into a routine, I gained some muscle and soon started to feel like I liked myself and my new figure. Now that I'm in college, I know that it's important to be confident in yourself and working out is a great place to start!

2. You meet a lot of people

I don't know about you guys, but I love meeting people who are willing to work out with me. I am a very social person and even though there are some days where its nice to workout by myself, I love having someone there to push me and make me better. I've met some of my best friends through sports and now that I'm in college, it's an opportunity to meet people and have friends all around campus who share the same passion as you.

3. It gives you a break from the stress of school

College is stressful. Between schoolwork and greek life and clubs and a job and everything that you could possibly be involved in during college, you need time for yourself. Going to the gym, even for a quick run can help you destress from a long day full of learning. Its also nice in-between studying because you can take a break from that chemistry assignment of studying for that french test and just focus on making yourself better.

4. Freshman Fifteen?? Kiss that goodbye.

Even though the highly noted concept of the "freshman fifteen" is only a myth, I know that it's tempting to eat that last Hotbox cookie along with those crab rangoons from Red Pepper especially when you're up late at night studying. Working out not only helps you to not let those cookies get to your stomach, but after a long workout it's nice to come home to a sweet treat without the feeling of guilt weighing down on you. Being somewhat healthy in college is key to making sure you aren't sick all the time and working out is a great place to start.

5. It gives you a routine

I'm the type of person who likes routines. I don't like it when things suddenly cancel last minute or when new events are sprung on me all the sudden. Working out everyday helps me establish a routine and keep myself in check, even when my day hasn't gone as planned or something got canceled. Also, once you start going everyday you know you won't want to stop going which makes you motivated to push yourself!