This time last year I had a gym membership at Lifetime Fitness. Looking back now...I wonder why in the hell I thought it was worth it. My typical workout included some time on a cardio machine, some body weight exercises and maybe a few minutes with some dumbbells. Essentially, it was a workout I could do anywhere.

When I started college last August, I fell back into a similar routine that honestly wasn't doing much for me. I kept noticing that all the other females in the gym were also following a similar workout regime, and felt that I must be doing something right. This is what girls must do to be fit I kept telling myself.

And I kept telling myself that until this past February. While visiting my long-distance boyfriend one weekend, he dragged took me to his CrossFit gym for a partner workout. It was clear immediately that I was not in shape...at all.

More importantly that weekend, I noticed the women who were at the gym and how badass it was that they could lift hundreds of pounds of weight while look flawless doing so (ex. Brooke Wells on the cover), and I was inspired.

The next time I visited my boyfriend for spring break, we went to the gym together almost every day so that I could learn. Was I scared out of my mind the first day thinking about throwing heavy weight over my head? Sure as hell I was...I even cried. But I pulled myself together and stood under the weight rack for the first time and successfully completed my first squat with a barbell.

I returned to school and found myself back at our Wellness Center ready to better myself and get stronger (literally). I walked away from the cardio machines and found myself in the middle of the free weights section and immediately notice that I was the only female in sight. Sure it was intimidating, but I didn't let that fear stop me.

Sure, I may not be Olympic weightlifter and college student Lauren Fisher, but I am done telling myself that lifting weights is an activity reserved for men.

From such an early age, little boys are encouraged to participate in tough "manly" activities and when they get injured, they are told to just brush it off and be strong. On the contrary, little girls are considered fragile and delicate creatures that need constant protection.

Girls are discouraged from lifting weights because they are told that if they do so, they might become bulky and undesirable. Our society has taught women time and time again that their bodies are sexual objects that need to look a certain way. When we live in a world of Kardashians, it is no wonder that these beautiful women with a lot of muscle are seen as unsuitable for todays men.

The first day I went to a CrossFit workout with my boyfriend I was miserable. But I powered through and kept telling myself that this pain is only temporary. Trust me when I say that there is nothing better than being able to prove to not only others, but yourself, that you can do things you never before thought you could. That is what I have learned to love about lifting weight: every time you tell yourself "Oh, I could never do that," and prove yourself wrong is a feeling everyone should experience.

Don't be scared to head over to the weight racks because you're worried you will get judged by all the men there; they probably aren't even paying that close attention. Go with a friend to spot you and just try it. You don't have to pile on weights right away; there is nothing wrong with starting out with just the barbell.

You will not turn into a female Arnold Schwarzenegger You will get stronger, both physically and mentally. You will gain confidence in yourself. You will become independent. And most of all, you will become a better version of yourself.

Beauty is not the inch gap you want between your thighs. Beauty is not a number on the scale. Beauty is not how big your butt is or if you have a six pack or not. Beauty is strength. Beauty is being able to set goals and blow them away. Beauty is conquering your fears. Beauty is being able to beat the boys. Beauty is doing things you never thought you would be able to do. Beauty is going into the dark place inside your head that tells you that you're not good enough and proving to yourself that yes, you can do it. Beauty is not letting society place you in a box where they can tell you what you can/can not do. Beauty going against the set norms. Beauty is you.