There are many times when we strive for change, for both our bodies and our souls. One of the hardest things to do, though, is to convince our mind to do better for ourselves. We know we need to start now. We are aware that we need to develop healthier habits. Unfortunately, they don't appear overnight. I think the most challenging thing for us to accomplish is getting to the gym.

Of course, anyone can get up and go to the gym. But where's the motivation coming from?

Sports and exercise were always part of my lifestyle. I constantly had something going on after school or at night. I ran cross country, I played basketball and sprinted around the bases during softball. However, I was never into going to the gym at all. I was young and figured I didn't need any gym time. Lifting weights discouraged me; I thought it was just for the big, buff men. I could live without it.

College happened, and I was an adult. I wasn't as active as I was in grade school and high school, so I was struggling with some serious self-esteem issues. The inactivity was showing, so I decided to go to the gym at school and try to make a difference in something. It was so easy for my mind to say it and think it, but it was so hard to actually do it. And I know that many other people had dealt with this or had felt the same way as I did.

There were many reasons why I didn't push myself enough, I'm sure. But I don't know those reasons. Why couldn't I just do it? I'd feel better, and it would do good things for my health and my body. After a long while of debating, I realized it was all me. I was literally holding myself back from exercising and lifting weights. I also tore myself down, pep-talking myself out of a lot of work and effort. But then again, I hated being lazy.

Negative thoughts were eating away the possibilities of me feeling better and looking good. I absolutely knew that anyone could go to the gym. But that was the problem. I was thinking of all the bad things, and I wasn't dedicated enough. What if I get discouraged? What if I don't see results?

Well, it turns out, after about 6 or 7 months, I see the results.

Being the girl against the weight lifting didn't last very long, as I now know several exercises with dumbbells and weight bars. I actually enjoy doing them. It really does work. Effort and dedication are both helpful. But to tell you the truth, the positive thinking was the one thing I needed to get up and go work out! Giving yourself mini pep talks seriously works! Telling yourself that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to can help you with your journey and goals. To this day, I go to the gym with my boyfriend, and I still lift and exercise enough to get my body feeling healthy.

Maybe that's what you need. You need that closure, knowing you'll be okay, and that you are capable of doing anything your heart desires.

Your body can do anything; it's just your mind you have to convince. Positive thinking was all I needed because I was tearing myself down, thinking I would never look good.

You can do this. Shun the bad thoughts from your brain. If I can do it, I'm sure as hell you can do it too!