I skipped my workout on Tuesday. I couldn’t bring the kids to the child care in the morning because M was (and still is) sick. Then, as the day wore on I found myself increasingly tired and decreasingly motivated. I battled back and forth with whether or not to go. I thought of all the usual things that get me out the door when I lack motivation:

• The popular “I never regret a workout” mantra. <—I know Julie loves that one!
• Telling myself I can take it easier because something is better than nothing.
• Putting on my workout clothes to get in the workout mood.
• Thinking about the energy at the gym and how it may help my tired, sour mood.
• Questioning if there was a physical need to rest and determining there was none.
• Remembering that my progress pictures/measurements are this weekend.

No matter what I told myself, however, the thought of heading to the gym almost made me cry. In that moment, I knew I needed to skip out for the day. 99% of the time I look forward to the gym. 99% of the time it doesn’t take much to get me out the door or down in the basement for a workout. So those days I feel myself hating the thought of the gym, I tend to know something is going on and I shouldn’t push it. A growth spurt and two harder days at mommy work had me hitting rock bottom. I had very little energy and just wanted to relax.

So, I watched The Bachelor instead and hit the gym again right away Wednesday morning feeling refreshed and ready to kick butt. We always hear tips to increase motivation to get in that workout, but I want to say sometimes its okay to play hooky too. Just be sure its not every workout. ;) 

Question of the Day – When do you know you need to skip a workout? How hard is it for you to skip?

Tags: listen to your body, workout motivation