I workout 6 days a week, usually twice a day. This brings up a lot of questions with my family at holiday dinners, and concerned texts from my friends making sure I’m okay. And yes, I’m great actually. So why on Earth do you feel the need to workout twice a day or at all if you’re tired? I admit, I complain a little sometimes, but when is it okay to stop something because it gets tiring? I’m tired of paying to pump gas to my car, can I just skip it this week? I could, but I’m not going to get to many places, am I? Sure you get tired of driving sometimes, but you’re still getting where you need to. That’s kind of how working out is for me, I’m the car and working out is my gas. I need it to function, and without it, I’ll probably break down and make you pull over until you get me to the closest gym.

A lot of people ask me if I do so much because I don’t like myself or if I’m trying to lose weight always tagged on with a “you’re beautiful already, you know,” and I appreciate that, but it’s also not why I feel like I have to work out.

1) I’m exhausted when I don’t.

This is actually a huge part of it, I’ll skip days on vacation or if my muscles need extra recovery, but my brain just shut downs. Exercise is proven to increase your energy levels, and now I get dead tired when I miss a day. I can’t focus, I yawn way more, and I just feel all around sluggish. Even on these days I’ll get in a quick run to wake myself up.

2) I’m way less stressed.

Exercise is also proven to help reduce stress, and it’s seriously a huge blessing in disguise. Any built up anger, sadness, any general life stress, makes my workout way more productive and it’s gone when I walk out of the gym. Honestly I’m probably more pleasant to be around after I’ve worked out.. some people need coffee, I need my gym time.

3) I feel proud of myself.

There’s so much satisfaction in returning to the gym and having to move the weight up because what I was doing before will not suffice anymore. I feel strong, and while it may annoy my friends that every time I see them I add on a “feel my arm muscle,” it’s my way of sharing how proud I am to be doing something good for myself. I finally understand all the guy’s “gym mirror flexing pictures” (but that doesn’t mean I really want to see them any more than I did before).

4) I actually crave healthier foods.

Now, craving strawberries and honey crisp apples doesn’t make my obsession for pizza and ice cream any less strong, but I can control it more. This is another thing I tend to complain about, eating healthy, but it doesn’t mean I don't want to. It just means sometimes my pizza craving is way stronger than my want for a salad but it’s not cheat day and I have to practice self control. But healthy foods also make me feel way more energized, and my results show way better, and then I’m less stressed about what I’m eating and more proud of myself… funny how all that works together.

5) Missing a day bums me out.

I just don’t really like saying I skipped out on at least a 30 minute workout to eat Zebra Cakes and watch Netflix for 7 hours.. no one else is going to hold me accountable, so I gotta hold myself accountable.

6) I’m more positive.

I see the bright side way more than I used to, maybe it’s just because everything seems a little nicer when your muscles aren't burning and you’re not panting and dripping sweat, but it’s a nice perk nonetheless.

7) I all-around feel better about myself.

I know I said I don't think I need to be skinny, but that doesn’t mean losing weight isn’t one of my incentives. Maybe not even losing weight, but losing fat and gaining muscle. And to the people pushing themselves at the gym solely to lose weight, you are beautiful and that’s a fantastic goal, but make sure you like exercise for it’s other benefits too, or else you’re just torturing yourself for no reason. Good workouts don’t stick when you don’t enjoy them, attitude is everything. Seeing my own progress makes me feel good about who I am and the choices I’m making. I do want to be thinner, I do want to be stronger, but it’s not because of some beauty standard set by society I promise, I don’t feel pressured, I just have a drive to constantly keep improving. I have learned to love myself because of my own accomplishments and not because of anyone’s approval, and I missed out on that class in high school.

To a lot of people, it seems excessive. “Why twice a day?” “You’re going to burn out just do less.” “Just skip today you deserve it.” Working out isn't a punishment for me, it’s just a means of survival, and I’m glad I’ve made it such a big part of my life.. plus, it makes sleep much more rewarding.

So, when I say “Sorry I can’t, I have to go to the gym,” you don't need to answer with “Well, you don't ‘have to’ go..”