To modify ABBA, “Working out is never easy, I know \ But I have to go.” If you don’t know what burpees are, consider yourself lucky. They are one of the most grueling, tortuous exercises ever invented. They’re great for working out many parts of your body at once, including your heart. And I freaking hate them.

I’ll find myself lying in bed in the morning, thinking of a million excuses why I should keep lying there. Sleep is healthy and I didn’t get enough, I worked hard this week and deserve a rest, I’ll just take a short nap and then be productive after that. Those are all lazy excuses. Once I drag my butt to the gym, the excuses continue. I don’t need to do burpees today, my legs are sore, I’ll do a different exercise instead. And that’s how I know I need to do burpees today, as hard as I can.

Sure, burpees have a great physical benefit, there’s no denying that. But equally important, perhaps even more important, is the mental benefit. By forcing myself to do two things I hate every morning (waking up early and doing burpees), I work out the mental muscle called discipline. It’s never going to get easier, but by adapting my brain to those unwanted challenges, I prepare it for more unwanted challenges to come in the rest of the day.

Earlier, I said I “drag” myself to the gym. Once I realized I was doing that, I knew that too had to stop. Especially when I’m walking uphill, I walk forcefully and purposefully towards my destination. Whether or not I want to be there, I want to be there. If there’s a shark in the water with you, swim towards it and fight it because you can’t escape by swimming away. Good things come to those who help themselves. Good things come to those who work hard.