Why Women Work Out
From Mental Health to Bigger Biceps, 21 Women Share Why They Love to Stay Active
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"Eating clean and working out has been a long, beautiful journey, and it's become a big priority in my life! We have bodies and minds that carry us every day, so it's important we take care of them. Eating healthy and working out is self-care, just as bubble baths and face masks are, too!"
-Laurie Hernandez, 18, Old Bridge, NJ, Olympic gymnast
"I used to think of staying active as a way to burn calories and indulge in foods without [major] health repercussions until about a year ago, when I faced an onslaught of online abuse, mostly targeting me for being a Muslim American woman working in tech. In order to deal with the personal stress, working out regularly became a mechanism that helped me gain control of my body and mindset. It was a time just focussed on me. Now, staying active is just one way for me to feel like I've completed something each day that is good for me and that gives me that much more control and feelings of success."
-Olinda, 30, San Francisco, partner at Twitter
"Fitness is a form of self-love for me, a space in my day dedicated to creating more inner and outer strength. It also significantly attributes to my mental health and allows me to transform the way I think day to day. The way I view fitness has dramatically changed over the last decade. I no longer see it as something that can just transform and shape my body, but I see it as a vital tool in life to keep my mind, body, and soul in balance."
-Rachael Finch, 30, Sydney, Australia, fitness influencer and creator of Body By Finch
"When I'm clipped into the bike, I decide that I want to be proud of myself, and every action I take on my ride sends me in that direction. My true self, or rather my superhero self, gets validation within. I have a purpose. I do what feels authentic. I love and trust myself."
-Tara Lyn Emerson, 35, Los Angeles, certified personal trainer