What to do when you just don’t feel like working out

Basketball
Credit

As I drove to the gym today, I just wasn’t feeling it.  Usually I am excited, ready to get my sweat on, be kid-free for a couple hours.  Today I was tempted to just skip the workout and hang in the cafe instead, but I knew I would regret it later.  I went up to the cardio room and did a quick warm-up on the elliptical. Then I headed down to the basketball court to work on my reverse walking lunges (no one to trip over down there).  The court was empty, so I grabbed a basketball from the check-out desk and took a few shots.

Clank!  I was throwing up total bricks.

I started in on the lunges.  Down and back the length of the baskeball court.

50 lunges down, I took a few more shots.  Hey, a few started to go in!  50 more lunges down and back.  Now I was warm.  The more I moved around, the better my shots became.  Swish!  I was really having fun now!

I ended up shooting around for a good 30 minutes, and you know what?  I had fun.  So much fun!  And I got a workout in.  Not my usual strength-training routine, but a fun feel-good workout.  Exactly what I needed on a day like today.

The point?  When you feel less than inspired, go do something fun.

What is the most fun form of exercise you can think of?  Do you ever do it?



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  • Sumner Brooks, MPH, RD, CSSD May 2, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Basketball and tennis are always so fun and I could play for hours without feeling like I'm working out. You feel like a kid again, even if you're not great it's still fun and a perfect way to sweat when you're not in the mood for the gym!

    -Sumner
    @MyDietitian

  • agirlandhercarrot May 2, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    This happens to even the best of us (even dietitians, fitness experts, etc.). Just the other day I was telling a friend how I avoided a workout cause I wasn't quite feeling it (my normal cardio craze routine that is). I stopped worrying so much about missing a workout and later in that same day did an at home yoga video. I think my body was telling me to slow down. I'm with Sumner, making fitness fun and not so daunting is a key ingredient to lifelong fitness! I have to get on a tennis court! Thanks for the honest and inspiring post Alysa!

  • Lori Lynn May 2, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    I really needed this today, b/c I've been struggling with motivation to workout today!

  • Jesse May 3, 2011 at 12:52 am

    Your post is helpful, and came at the perfect time! I was just slowly talking myself out of going on a long walk today – Monday's are the toughest days to get motivated. I think you're right – doing something fun can make workouts less… painful. šŸ™‚

  • Becca @ Our Crazy Boys May 3, 2011 at 3:05 am

    On the days I just don't feel like working out, I make myself do a 15 minute ab video that I have. If I feel like stopping after that, that's ok. If I want to keep going, that's ok, too.

    And fun? The past few months I have been doing P90X. I have never lifted weights before, and I am going to admit that I think it's fun. I look forward to the days I can lift, and love the results I am seeing!

  • Rob Masterson, RD May 3, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    I think Sumner said it best: when you're having fun it doesn't feel like a workout and I personally feel that is the best route to go for sustaining long-term physical activity. You simply must have fun! And adding variety like basketball and other sports can definitely help with that.

  • Andrea@WellnessNotes May 3, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Love your fun workout!

    Whenever possible, I do something outdoors when I don't feel like working out. A walk, some sprints, lunges, etc. It always puts me in a good mood.