Well, it has been a long time since I have written an article, isn't it? Within this year alone, a lot of things have happened to me. Of course, I did not plan on them happening, but they still happened. I would not change it for the world, though, because I have a strong belief that everything does happen for a reason.

I lost a relationship with someone that I had a really great connection with. When it ended, I was sad to see this person go but, trust me when I say: it was definitely for the better. I am definitely happier, and there is not any added stress because I am now single.

A few articles back, I had mentioned that I was in a pretty bad car wreck. Dealing with that stress did almost give me a heart attack (I was driving my dad's car to school and back, dang that car is wide!).

As I had said, I truly do think that things happen for a reason. And I don't view these things as negative events at all. I used to get all frazzled and riled up when they were mentioned. They do trigger some unhappy memories from time to time, but they were things I learned a great deal about. I have also learned a lot from them. I would never give those back for the world.

I am stronger than I was yesterday, and all I can do is look forward.

Never back.

Now, I know you're wondering how working out has helped me. How it's starting to become "my thing." I used to dread going, and I think this was mentioned in the weight loss article, but nobody could get me to the gym without an eye rolling or two in the past. Now, it is no issue getting me to and from the place. It has become my saving grace. I truly appreciate it, and if it were to go away tomorrow, I would not know what to do.

More recently, I have discussed how I am trying to lose weight. Originally, I did not feel like it was my idea to lose it. I felt like I was pressured into the weight loss. I truly did not understand why I was actually doing this. Sure, I was getting healthier and losing the weight I had gained in both college and a relationship that did more harm than anything. It just did not feel like it was right, though. That this whole weight loss kick was not me. I felt like this was just pushed on me.

Like I did not have a say if I wanted to do this or not.

I had not realized until more recently that it has grown on me. I am creating friends and true connections there with people that I had never thought I would be friends with. Some of them give me little tricks and tips on how to improve my techniques at the gym. They truly are encouraging of my weight loss. It really puts a smile on my face knowing that someone truly cares about me.

But when it comes down to it, I not only have lost weight in the process, but I definitely have lost added stress from this. I did not think of using this as an outlet to take out any of my anger and frustrations when I would have a bad day. If I am even just stuck on a paper, or I do not know what to write about for my articles, I just go to the gym. It helps me clear my mind and take it off of the thing that is really stressing me out. I am able to just clear my mind of it and come back to it later with a level headed mindset.

Mental health is such a vital part of getting through college for me. I used to stress out over the smallest of things just because I did not know how to get it out. I did not know how to clear my mind of things so that I could focus on something else. Not going to the gym was hindering me, and I regret now not discovering that earlier.

Hopefully, I have inspired you all with what the gym does for me. A little update with the weight loss: I am now down about 30 pounds or so. I feel comfortable saying that I only have about 60-70 pounds to go (It sounds like a lot but I know that I have this!).

Hope you all enjoyed this one, and I'll see you next week with another!