Making excuses not to work out or go to the gym is probably the EASIEST thing in the world to do! It is so easy to just say you’re too tired, you’re too busy, you don’t feel well, it’s too hot or cold outside, etc. and skip a workout. The problem with skipping that workout, though, is that it can create a chain of bad habits!
Things that can happen when you skip a workout:
– Overeat and make poor food choices
– Have a drop in mood due to your endorphins/adrenaline (aka your “feel good” chemicals produced by exercise) decreasing
– Energy levels and productivity also begin to decline
– Poor water intake and sleep disruption
– Become groggy, bloated, and lethargic
Funny how it’s SO easy to get out of shape, but SO hard to get in shape! Since this is the case, it’s important to start out slow. If you haven’t been working out in a while, don’t over do it at first. If you over do it, you’re less likely to stick with it. Push yourself just the right amount and listen to your body.
Here are some tips to help hold yourself accountable:
– Plan your workouts and DON’T SKIP. Make working out a habit. Write it down in your calendar, if you have to, to manifest it.
– Lay out your clothes (down to your bra and socks!), shoes, headphones, and water bottle the night before a workout – it sounds silly, but you really are more likely to go if you don’t have to get all of that prepped!
– Find a workout YOU enjoy. I love cardio, but I have friends who are all about weights. I have a blast at Cyclebar and Neighborhood barre.
– Work out with a friend! Even if you all don’t do the physical working out together, choose the same program and hold each other accountable. Send them texts or Snapchats while you’re doing your workout and let them know they’re up next!!
– Find the right time for you to work out. If you are more likely to blow off a workout after work or in the evening, then try to go to bed a little earlier and get up to go in the morning or at lunch! It sounds a lot harder than it actually is, and it wakes you up and gets you ready for the day ahead!
As I have mentioned before, I grew up playing soccer and even went to school to play D1 soccer. Even though I have always been an athletic person it is so easy for me to get in a rut with working out. I’m sure it can be even harder when you’re not used to working out and don’t have workouts that you know how to do. I asked my friend Bailey to tell you guys about her experience with working out:
[Bailey] I played basketball and soccer when I was in elementary school, but after that I never worked out. I’m not sure why; my best friends growing up were a cheerleader, a cross country runner, and a dancer! I think I just had it in my mind that “working out” equaled running or intense cardio and I HATED that. It hurt and it was miserable, so I just didn’t do it. My boyfriend introduced me to the world of weight training almost two years ago, and it honestly changed my life to be able to have a different way to work out that was effective and fun but not miserable. Then about a year ago Laura asked me to go to Cyclebar with her, and that helped even more! I didn’t know that there were fun methods of cardio… but now I’ve gone to over 60 rides and am always so excited to go to class! Now I’m working on starting Kayla Itsines’s BBG program. It’s rough, but the feeling after you’re finished is enough motivation to do it again the next day (if you can walk, lol!)
I think the key is doing some research (Pinterest, fitness bloggers/Instagrammers, friends) and knowing your body and what you think is fun in order to find workouts that you genuinely enjoy and look forward to doing. I know that sometimes going to the gym can seem like such a hurdle, but once you get there it can be your “you” time where you really get in the zone, forget about all the things going on outside, and just work the stress away. I never believed people when they said that exercise can be therapeutic, but now it really is sometimes the only thing that can relieve stress for me and clear my mind! Joshua and I even use it as our “quality time” in our relationship a lot to go work out together and just talk!
You always regret if you don’t go, but you never regret if you do! Also, keep in mind that it’s all about PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION. Even just getting up and going on a walk or doing something small is more than you did yesterday, so keep it up and eventually those baby steps will lead to big changes!
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XOXO
Laura Elizabeth
