Let’s face it, you don’t feel like working out on each and every day. You know that you’re supposed to but you just too tired to head on to the gym and lift some weights or run on the treadmill.
I’ve had such a day recently and I couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. After all, I know too well the slipper slope of excuses. It’s so easy to begin finding all sorts of reasons why you shouldn’t workout, but once you get in the habit of succumbing to excuses, it may become very hard to overcome them in the future.
But what can you do?
I try to ask myself this question and be truthful about it: am I really tired or do I just not feel like it? I try to figure out if there’s any real reason why I should feel so tired: am I sick, haven’t I slept well last night, did I workout too much recently? If I can’t answer any of these questions with a resounding yes then I pick myself up and head out to the gym.
I’ve discovered that once I’m in my car that it’s much easier to think about the coming workout. I no longer feel as tired as I did before.
More often than not, what you’re feeling shouldn’t stop you from doing a regular, intensive, workout. But there are some cases when your body really does need a rest. However, you don’t want to skip a workout because you know too well how important it is to be as active as possible as a routine.
I found that when I’m too tired to do my regular workout, a 45–60 minute fast walk on the treadmill is a great way for me to burn some calories, keep up my workout routine, but not to push my body too hard for how I’m feeling at that time.
I found that walking can be a lot of fun, if you have the right kind of workout music, or if there’s a good show on TV that you can watch. The time passes quickly, you build up a nice sweat, and you finish the workout pleased with yourself for not having giving in to excuses.
So, the next time you feel tired, consider walking. It’s a great way to remain active without pushing yourself too far.
