Why You Need To Get Healthy NOW

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I love all things food. I can literally eat an entire pizza in one sitting, and I say literally because it’s been done. More than once.

My gluttonous ways, in conjunction with my waning metabolism and subsequent increased laziness, resulted in a less-than-desirable fitness level and that flat-out sucked. I made it my mission to get back in shape, and damn, that shit was not as easy as it used to be.

Getting out of bed to go to the gym before the sun is up is torture, and going after work is my personal hell. Working out on the weekends comes with a whole other set of challenges: hangovers, conflicting schedules, prioritizing working out over things that you actually want to do over the weekend. Kill me. And this is coming from someone who actually enjoys working out.

But despite all the maladies that come with a journey to get in better shape and jokes about how horrible working out is, it’s pretty important. I hate to break it to you, but the past few years and next few years are your prime. Do you really want to spend your prime years huffing and puffing up a flight of stairs? It only gets worse from there.

Your Poor Eating Habits Are Going To Catch Up To You

We’d all rather eat wings, fries, cake and ice cream than a salad. Salad makes me sad when I eat it. But having good eating habits now is very beneficial. Establishing the habits now while you’re still relatively healthy and susceptible to change is a lot easier than doing it later in life. Be proactive rather than retroactive.

And naturally skinny bitches, you can’t eat anything you want forever. One day those terrible eating habits will catch up with you and your waistline (I still envy you, though).

Working Out Is The Most Powerful Stress Reliever There Is

Before you come at me with a pitchfork, not all working out is gym-based (duh). Hiking, football, soccer, skiing, dancing, spirited 5Ks like the Color Run and Electric Run, or even a brisk, scenic walk. There are a lot of ways to incorporate fitness into the activities you already enjoy.

If you’re more of an organized-sport fan, you’re in luck. Were your high school days your glory days? That’s kind of sad, but I’m not here to judge. Get back on the field and join an rec league.

Happiness

Sorry to drop a Legally Blonde quote on you, but I think it sums it up pretty well: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands; they just don’t.” It might suck at first, and you’ll probably be pretty sore, but working out is actually proven to make you happier. It’s science. And there’s nothing like a long run or hike to clear your head.

You don’t have to be a fitness expert or model. Hell, you don’t even need to be able to run more than two miles. You don’t need to be stick-thin to be an attractive woman or ripped to be an attractive dude. However, this is your only body, so at least do it a favor and take care of it.

As long as you aren’t a total sloth-human, you got this.

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HallieJJacobs

Beer, music, hikes, nature. That's all I need. Oh, and money. I need that.

• @halliejjacobs