Exercise is important for a number of reasons, especially as you transition into a young adult and you have so much going on in your life. While many people can’t go a day without at least a half hour workout at some point, the majority of us tend to skip the gym whenever possible. Skipping our daily exercise is one of those things we think won’t bite us in the back later on in life but that’s unfortunately not true. It ultimately comes down to motivating yourself and turning this healthy habit into a fun activity. Here are ten things to tell yourself when you decide to skip the gym.
First things first. Going to the gym will only benefit you and keep you healthy. Not only will it keep you in shape and energetic, pushing yourself to get to the gym today and at least a few times a week will help prevent certain diseases and conditions such as obesity.
There’s nothing like that feeling of satisfaction you get post-workout. There’s a blissful sense of accomplishment when you get something done that you were dreading in the first place. Whether it was a 30 minute or 3-hour long session, you did it! Now keep it going and tell yourself not to skip the gym today!
Another very helpful thing to tell yourself when you decide to skip the gym is that it’s a form of self-love. You are not doing it to harm or punish yourself, you need to do it because it’s what’s best for you. This doesn’t mean that sitting in front of the couch and eating chips is a form of self-loathing, but getting in a few minutes of exercise will always pick you up and make you feel a lot better.
Many people hate going to the gym because getting on that treadmill for 45 minutes can get daunting after a while. Very true. So tell yourself you will skip the gym and go jogging instead. Go to a scenic park and enjoy the sights and fresh air as you run off your frustrations. Heck, even running up and down the stairs four times in your house is better than nothing!
Another thing that you can tell yourself when you decide to skip the gym is how much your skin will improve with regular physical activity. Ever notice how many gym-goers come out looking extra glowy and radiant (and not just sweaty)? Yup, all that exercise will help your skin get clear and you will be super happy about it!
Alright, here is a good bribe to get you waltzing to the gym in no time: promise yourself a small reward for doing it. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, maybe do some shopping later or treat yourself to some ice cream or chocolate later. It sounds contradictive but it’s a good way to motivate yourself since you will probably eat it anyway. At least you did your daily workout so by all means, get that bag of chips you wanted!
There is nothing like that lovely moment when you decide to try on your favorite old pair of jeans and they finally fit again! Progress!
Once you get into the habit of going to the gym regularly, you’ll find yourself making other good habits subconsciously. You’ll start to drink less soda and more fruit smoothies, and it will get easier for you to say no to another slice of pizza or dessert. Your own body won’t crave all that sugar and greasy foods it once did. It’s kind of amazing what the body gets used too!
Next time you decide to skip the gym because you hate being there alone, try inviting your best friend. If they are anything like you, chances are they need to exercise more too! Motivate each other into staying fit and make it a regular thing. Sometimes a little company makes all the difference.
So you decided to skip the gym today. Don’t put yourself down for it and don’t give up. Tell yourself it’s okay, you will go tomorrow. There is no one you need to impress but yourself. You are on a journey to live a better life and, in the end, that’s all that matters even if you stumble once or twice.
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