Exercise. It's not a word many people like to hear or think about, unless you are a fitness enthusiast. Working out, going to the gym, exercising or whatever you call it is not supposed to be easy. Working out is meant to challenge your body, to work the muscles you do not use on a daily basis and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

If working out was easy, everyone would do it. This is one of the main reasons people avoid the gym. Working out is hard. It tests your body. It challenges you to push past boundaries. It shouldn't be easy. And if your current workout is too easy then you are not pushing yourself enough. People avoid the gym or make excuses about not going to the gym because they are afraid. Afraid of embarrassing themselves, afraid of others passing judgement or afraid of finding out what their bodies can and cannot handle.

Speaking as a former high school athlete, let me tell you it's hard to start going to the gym. I was used to exercising by playing basketball or soccer, not going to the gym and running on the treadmill or lifting weights. This is a transition I am still trying to make, and it's hard. I know that. You know that. Everyone knows that.

Yet, somehow, everyone keeps avoiding this known fact. Instead, we should embrace it. Embrace the fact that working out is physically demanding because if you recognize the effort you are putting into your health, it will make you feel better. Personally, every time after I get home from going to the gym, I feel a sense of pride knowing that I did something productive that day. Working out is not the most pleasant feeling while you are sweating at the gym, but it is satisfying hours later when you know you put maximum effort into yourself and your health.

Working out isn't easy. It takes time to get into a rhythm and find out what is the most productive health and fitness plan for you and your goals. As one of my personal fitness instructors once explained to me, your progress is liking using a roll of paper towels. It takes awhile to use the whole roll of paper towels because you only tear one off at a time. Your progress in your fitness also takes awhile. It is gradual and will not change over night. It takes time, determination, and effort to achieve your goals whether it be trying to go to the gym twice a week instead of once a week or pushing yourself to run two miles instead of one.

Start small and work your way up. And remember, working out isn't easy. It shouldn't be easy.