After some really great runs last week, I’ve been feeling tired and moody this week. Even though I know that I feel better after a workout, I’ve been able to talk myself out of doing much beyond keeping my run streak alive. Thankfully, I managed to pry myself off of my seat in front of my computer and get out there for 12 miles yesterday. But, I’m pretty sure that I used every excuse in the book before I finally just made myself do it.
1. “I’m too tired” – While sometimes our bodies are truly too tired and we need a rest day or we just had an absolutely awful night with the kids, most of the time exercise is actually invigorating. Perhaps this isn’t the time to go out for a 20 mile run or a super intense class, but getting the blood flowing in your body and expending energy will give you more energy in the long run (and often in the short run as well.) Find something low key and just.do.it.
2. “It’s too cold/hot/rainy/icy” – The obvious answer to this is to do something indoors. Run on a treadmill, ride an exercise bike, take a class, etc. (And favorite indoor workouts is the topic for Friday 5 today, so check out all those posts). Or embrace the suck and know that running outside on a less than optimal day will strengthen you as a runner and give you a justified claim of being a badass. Besides, you never know what might happen on race day, might as well be ready for it.
3. “I don’t have time” – Everyone has time. Sometimes life circumstances make people busy, sometimes it’s life *choices*. Either way, as Carla would say, “what you can, when you can.” Walk during lunch, get up a few minutes early or stay up a little bit late, take your kids to the park and play tag, etc. You only get one body in this life time – you need to take care of it.
4. “My {{insert body part}} hurts” – So, find an exercise that doesn’t aggravate it. Elliptical or water jog instead of running. Do yoga instead of an intense weight workout. Obviously, if it’s pain, as opposed to soreness, talk to your doctor and see what activities are acceptable. There are a lot of exercise options out there, including just going for a walk. Explore a little.
5. “I have no one to watch my kids” – Take them with you! Push them in the stroller on a brisk walk or a run. Play with them at the playground (trust me, doing everything my then 3 year old did at the park one day left me completely wiped out.) Have them bike or run with you, while you either run or bike. Trade off with another parent. Get up before them or stay up later and workout in your home. So many options!
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I have now managed a run streak for 30 days, despite a few rough days this week. Unfortunately, I fell pretty hard on my one knee during my Thursday 12 miler, so I’m not sure what today will bring once the advil wears off. If it hurts as bad as it did during the last miles of my run, the streak might be over. Just thank me for not sharing a picture. ;o)
I’m linking up today with the DC Trifecta (Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney) for the Friday Five. Stop by their blogs to get some great indoor workout ideas!
I seriously think I’ve used all of these and just this month 🙂
I find that I am not myself when I don’t take care of myself. I’m a happier me when I “find” time to go for a run, box or ride!
ooh didn’t know you fell hope you’re ok. Working out w friends is the best way to keep from bailing right? We still need to hit solidcore together.
Yeah, I was all like “ooh, this run is feeling better than I expected” and then bam! tripped over an uneven spot in the street. My knee feels a lot better than I expected, so I’ll be trying for a run today.
Erika, these are great suggestions and tips; I have been guilty of the “I don’t have time” when it comes to cross training. I always have time for running, so why can’t I make time for that? Well, it’s amazing what I “choose” to spend my time on; I made it to a cycling class last night and had a blast, so I have a feeling I’ll be back. I hope your knee is okay and that it just needs a little recovery time. Thanks so much for sharing this and I hope you have a great weekend!
I only run outdoors so the weather is the biggest factor for me! It is easy to roll out of bed and look at my weather app and say, UGG I hate to run when it is under 50 degrees, maybe I will run tomorrow, might be warmer 🙂 I/ve had to learn to quit talking to myself and just get out there! Hope your knee feels better!
I hate that excuse I don’t have time. People that workout do not have anymore hours in the day then anyone else, we just Make the time Bc it is important to us.
weather seems to be my favorite excuse…I have taken to finding more indoor workouts to help me stay fit
Great tips! I’ve used all of these excuses before + the “but my pillow is just so comfy – it wouldn’t be this comfy if I was supposed to go wake up and work out” excuse – haha
Yes, if a person wants to do something badly enough the excuses don’t stand in the way. I’ve been guilty of all of these occasionally, especially on random days that I forget to set my alarm clock in the morning and have to try and squeeze it in some other time.
Yes, yes, yes. Love all of these excuse-beaters! It’s easy to use the “can’t workout with kids” excuse but really it just required getting creative! I have heard of some towns that have stroller strength training classes for moms and their kids and that sounds SO fun!
I have heard all of these excuses before but, in the end, our excuses only hurt us! This quote says it well: “If it’s important to you, you make time for it!” So true.
Even if I’m tired, I drive by my gym when I’m going home from work. Unless it’s a day that I do yoga or HIIT at home, it’s right there on my commute.
Yep, I’m the one saying it’s too cold/snowy/icy…treadmill here I come!
oh no – i’m sorry you fell. that sucks. hoping the knee feels better today!
I think being tired is my downfall. I’ll lay in the bed debating and struggling with myself on whether I’m going to get up and run. I FINALLY get up to run in the dark and cold. And love every minute. Then I think, why was I struggling to get up? Then I do it all over again the next day. I’m driving myself nutty.
This week my plantar fasciitis was killing me. I could barely walk and started getting sciatic pain because I was compensating. There are other times when it’s been less painful and was able to switch it up and do something else. I am with you though…you can alway find ways to get a good workout.
Great tips! There’s a work around for every excuse.
Oh wow you have to be careful running out there. I ate pavement once ever and it was not fun. Fortunately no blood. My toe tipped a raised part of the sidewalk unfortunately. I hope you feel better soon and these are some great tips. I used to have all of these excuses and now I just literally roll myself out of bed to make these workouts.
These are great tips! I know that I’ve used just about all of those excuses before, but getting workouts in really is all about choices and priorities. I also think that finding something that you love to do makes exercising a lot of fun and not seem like something you have to do but rather something you want to do!
Great tips! I’m sure I’ve used a few of these recently. Thankfully I’ve found a routine that keeps me motivated! I feel out of whack if I miss a class or a run.
Great advice! Often I have to just embrace the suck. I have 3 little ones and I find it hard, but not impossible.
ha. “embrace the suck”. I am not a runner but I love that. My biggest excuse is always no time. . . I am trying to keep reminding myself that my time spent must align with my priorities. Thanks for sharing.
Life isn’t perfect, why should we expect our workouts to be perfect? And sometimes, sleep has to be a priority, but most of the time working out can be squeezed in somewhere.
I may have used the weather to my (dis)advantage more than once. Thankfully, over the years I have been building up my home gym so my excuses are quickly becoming moot.
The weather would have been the perfect excuse today–hello blizzard! but that would have meant a long run on the treadmill. Kill.me.now. I’m pretty good at ignoring my excuses because I’ve heard them all so many times before. I just shut them down.
LOVE THIS! I wanted SO badly to skip my run this morning and sleep since I only slept 2 hours last night but instead I got my butt outta bed and got my 5 miles in. I already feel so much better!
If I don’t workout first thing in the morning I find all sorts of excuses to delay it. I always feel better when I rally and get the job done.
Hope your knee is ok!
It’s improving, I just think it needs a total break.
I’m not a morning workout person. I can barely manage the 6am wakeup to start the day without a work out…
I have had those days where everything is keeping me from working out. Those days that I push myself to get it in are usually the best workout days. I like your ideas to overcome the excuses!! Glad to have you linking up!!
Thanks for stopping by. I’ve had busy days where my workout ends up being a 20 minute walk, but it’s better than nothing.
I’m feeling the “no time” today since I didn’t get up early enough before the kids got up in order to work out. So I’m trying to take the stairs and be active as much as I can on a long work day!
Great post. I like the way you think. I have traded off with another parent and have pushed my kids many miles. I used to do squats while pushing them on the swings! Lol, memories. #wowlinkup