More often than not, I get asked, where do you find the motivation to workout 6 times a week?

I also get this comment, “You’re skinny, you don’t even need to workout that much, you need to eat.”

Every time I hear this I feel bad. I’m not bothered that people think I’m skinny or need to eat. What bothers me, is that they assume I work out to be skinny. Let me tell you a secret: I DON’T. I mean, I workout not to be “skinny” but to be HEALTHY.

The moment you start associating exercise with losing weight or being “skinny,” sweating, working hard and not having fun, then you will have all the reasons NOT to move. Exercise DOES NOT need to be a difficult work. It does not need to be something you NEED to do to reach a goal. It does not need to be the worst part of your day. Exercise CAN become the best part of your day. The LIFESTYLE you will love to adapt. All you need to do is change the way you perceive!

Here is the thing that many people fail to realize: our bodies are made to move. However, we have trained our minds and bodies to always relax–in a negative way, of course. We have made our bodies lazy, tired, old, broken, etc.

Now we are challenged to change this thinking and training, but how? I know the hardest part is having the motivation to start.

Here are some tips I can share with you:

• The moment you think you want to go for a walk, GO. Don’t delay. Never entertain second thoughts.
• If you have a job that requires sitting all day, set a timer. Get up at least every hour and walk for 5-10 minutes.
• Schedule exercise and make sure to keep it FUN. Play a sport, go for a hike, play with your family or friends.
• JUST MOVE! Clean the house, run some errands! Just remember: DO SOMETHING!
• Change your mindset. When you think of working out, think of it as something you do so you can LIVE longer, to RELIEVE stress, to be healthy for your body.
• Get excited to exercise! Be happy to exercise! Be thankful you are capable of moving. Some people just CAN’T!!! Some people would give their life to walk, run, and jump. So take advantage of your physical strength. Move and don’t let yourself to have regrets later on.

No, I do not workout to be skinny. I workout, so:

• when I’m 80 years old, I can still walk on my own.
• when I have children, I can play with them.
• when I’m sick, my body will be able to fight.
• I can be here long enough to see my grandkids.
• I can relieve stress.
• my body can do what it is made to do.

I workout for me. For myself. For my health.

Now, will you do yourself a favor? Will you workout to be healthy?