Finding your sweat life.

If you told me a few years ago I'd be in the best shape of my life, happy and healthier than I've ever been, I'd think you were pulling my scrawny leg.

I was never the athletic girl in school, I was the band geek—I didn't really know what it meant to be fit or build any form of gym habit. My parents are not active, and after I moved out I tried to enjoy working out and going to the gym with friends, but I hated it.

There was a brief period of time I was going to the gym religiously and built a routine and in great shape—but I was doing it for the wrong reasons. I was coming out of a breakup and I didn't know what to do with the time I was normally spending with that person, so naturally, I easily lost my routine once I moved on.

In early 2018, I was over it. I was over feeling fatigued all the time, over the feeling of being uncomfortable in my own skin. I made an oath to myself to commit to healthy habits for the year.

I started with keto and learned about the awful effects sugar intake has on our bodies. I also started spinning at Spinco and met an outstanding community of people who found fun in fitness routines. I go to UVU fitness for boxing and full body strength workouts. And when I travel, I love to try out new studios and group workout activities.

I never set a goal for myself to lose a set amount of weight or inches—the goal was always, and should always be, to feel great in your own skin.

I've learned to love and embrace my body, and everything it does for me. I'm no longer tired all the time, and I'm excited to sweat every day.

All that being said, here is what I can say are my greatest takeaways from welcoming sweaty days into my life:

• Do it for the right reasons: do it for yourself
• Find your community: what works for me might not work for you
• Progress takes time: invest in yourself, and you'll see the long-term results.