When I first started college, I worked out about three times a week and I felt awesome. When I transferred, I kind of stopped working out in the summer because I had too much to do or because I simply just didn't want too. Looking back on this, I wish I would have told myself to work out even when I didn't feel like it because it just gives me a happy feeling of accomplishment.
The first semester of my sophomore year, I actually signed up for fitness classes at my school gym and attended HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) on Tuesday's and Thursday's. I eventually got to busy with school work, and school is my number one priority. I did not sign up for these classes during the second semester, although I should have. Signing up for those classes made me want to attend and work out. It gives you a little push, which we all need once and then. I now try to balance school and working out. After a workout, I just feel good. You get that sweat session in and bam, it's like you're a whole new person. At least, that's how I feel. Even if I have to force myself to go, I will. I do this because I know how good I will feel afterward and the pay off I will feel for getting to the gym. I have also noticed that when I do workout, my mental health just feels better, I feel happier and joyful, especially when I start making it a routine.
Once you get a routine down, it just becomes like second nature to you. Usually, when I don't go to the gym, I feel out of my normal routine. I hate messing up a routine when I have one. Working out just helps me feel happier, motivated, and just all around better.