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How to deal with *not* working out

Pants: c/o Sweaty Betty | Top: Zella | Sports Bra: old (similar)
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Based on these photos alone, you might think this post is going to be all about how great yoga is and why everyone should do it every day… but I’m going to talk about the flip side instead.
Let’s talk about what happens when you AREN’T working out…

Sounds weird?! Bear with me.

For example, I’m writing this on really busy Monday, and I haven’t had time to get to class. Tuesday and Wednesday are also totally shot… Thursday and Friday are jam packed… you get the idea. This is just one of those weeks when working out is lower on the totem pole. Now, some of you might be thinking “umm you’re crazy for worrying about one week, I haven’t been to the gym in months!” And no, I’m not trying to exclude you at all! But I am also SURE that there are people out there who want/try to work out regularly, but run into circumstances that prevent them from staying on track. Work gets busy, the negative temperatures make it hard to get out, your child or spouse gets sick, you are still getting over an injury, yada yada. And what I want to say to that is… we’ve ALL been there.

So, how do you deal with those days/weeks/months that keep you off track?

Here’s what I do:

1) Schedule your next work out.

I’m talking about putting it IN your calendar. In PEN. Treat it like an important appointment and don’t change it unless you absolutely have to. Knowing that you are going to do something good for your body will help you remember that in the grand scheme of things, you only dropped the ball for 3 days/2 weeks/1 month of your whole year! That’s nothing… as long as you don’t use this rationale as an excuse to NEVER exercise. Haha please don’t do that!

2) Move your body.

Okay, so you don’t have time to go for a run or to a yoga or spin class? Walk to the grocery store. Do a 15 minute video at home. Stretch when you wake up or right before you go to bed. Just stay in tune with your bod until you can get back in your routine.

3) Try something new.

Maybe you haven’t been finding the time for your workouts because you’re bored with them. That happens all the time – it even happened to me with yoga! I needed to try something new that challenged me… and honestly, that was the best thing I could have done. Join a different gym, test out a new class, try ClassPass, or look up all of the “Free Week” promotions in your area! There are SO many studios that do this, why not take advantage?!

4) Eat healthy.

You shouldn’t overdo it on unhealthy foods anyway – but if you aren’t going to work it off, don’t let yourself eat them at all. Focus on real fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and wholesome grains. Read labels and stay way from sugar. Fuel those busy/stressful days with nutrients instead of processed crap – your body will thank you! *PS. I’m going to be posting some Whole30 content starting next week! Stay tuned!

5) Let go of the guilt.

Guilt is something I deal with a lot. I feel guilty about being able to work from home. I feel guilty about the days when I work on the blog,  do a photoshoot or work out during normal business hours. I feel guilty about pressing snooze instead of making it to that 7am workout. But what good is guilt actually doing? I personally think that your actions shouldn’t be driven by guilt… if that’s all that’s motivating your choices (in fitness or life), your heart’s not in it. So, let the guilt go and do the 4 things listed above. You’ll be back in the groove in no time.
Oh, and get upside down if you can. You can do it right in your home and it totally clears my head – does this work for anyone else?

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Photos by Ali B Photography

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  1. Natalie @ Muffins & Miles
    January 10, 2017 @ 9:32 am

    Hi Lauren! First things first, I LOOOOVE those leggings. Second, I totally feel you on the guilt factor. It can be so toxic and it's such a gateway to being unkind to yourself, like, all the time. In the winter especially, I have such a hard time getting out of bed (totally snoozed through my class this morning). But, it's not the end of the world, and there's still plenty of time to get some movement in.

  2. Abril Ponce
    January 11, 2017 @ 2:05 pm

    I so agree with you . I feel so bad when I don't work out . During winter I don't go that often because it's really cold but I do at leas 10-20 minutes of HIIT using my iPad. I love @fitnessblender videos
    X,abril
    The color palette