Morit Summers
Why Working Out Is Important Even If You’re Tired
It’s never easy to strike that balance between your 9-to-5 hustle and your fitness grind. Most of the time, you find yourself sacrificing one over the other—usually your gym schedule tanks—because you reason that fatigue has got the better of you. But is this get-out-of-gym-card completely valid? Not really. Health.com underscores that dodging your gym sessions not only encourages a sedentary lifestyle, but also robs you of a much-needed energy boost. Still not convinced? Here are some reasons why you should push harder than ever to find the time to workout, even when you feel spent for the day.
Do It, But with The Right Workout
While excising can sometimes seem like the most unappealing thing in the world to do, you should buckle down and do it. As fitness is a lifestyle and a choice, you should make it a point to always be on the right side of the fence and reap the benefits of exercise. Modifying your workout is always an alternative, especially when you think you can’t really afford to go hard on that workout. An easy hack: shortened workouts. Either dropping by the gym for light work, or sweating in the comfort of your living room via a quick circuit for no more than 15 minutes could be a fuss-free solution to help you stay on your fitness track. To make most out of your workout, try to incorporate bodyweight exercises like squats, pushups, and planks. Moreover, dynamically warm up before the workout and thoroughly stretch right after.
Sarah Taylor
Do It, But Choose Your Battles Wisely
There are numerous benefits in exercising. From positively enriching your mood and reinforcing your immune system, to encouraging muscle growth and endurance, there’s too much good to ignore. Nothing is better for your mental and physical health than pushing your limits even when the odds are seemingly stacked against you.
Working out at the right time so you do not burn out is also key. Shape.com stresses that if you’ve been running low on sleep (possible unavoidable all-nighters at work) it may be smarter to take a leave of absence from the gym. Leesa emphasizes that when you’re tired, your body actually produces leptin, a hunger hormone, that can disrupt your diet. To aid your slumber at night, a good trick is to have a banana before bedtime? Fabuplus Magazine underscores that a banana is rich in potassium and magnesium which can relax your muscles for a good night’s sleep.
Sarah Taylor
Do It, But Assess Your Day’s Activity First
If you spent the majority of the day sat at a desk, typing away, and catching up on deadlines all day, hitting the gym after work is a healthy way to de-stress and stay active. However, if you find that you have been more active than usual throughout the day, consider your workout dusted and done. Bustle suggests you can allow yourself flexibility in your fitness journey and count certain tasks as a workout substitute—say getting around to your multiple meetings in a day, or helping a family member or friend move house. Sometimes day-to-day activities can be just as effective as a workout.
The most important aspect of exercising is making sure that you don’t lose motivation. Often after a few visits to the gym it is easy to slip back into bad habits, especially if you are tired. It is at those moments that it is critical not to give up and continue to strive for healthier lifestyle.