As we settle into a regular workout routine, we feel accomplished, finally on track, and excited for the results to follow.  What about when life gets in the way and we can’t make it to our regular workouts? Does that mean we have to feel guilty and ashamed?  Absolutely not. There are plenty of good reasons not to workout. In this post, I’ll share 9 good reasons to skip your workout. 

It’s ok to take a break every once in a while from the gym.  In fact, it can be just the reset you need. After the event has past, know that you’ll always be able to come back to your gym routine.  

Here are 9 good reasons to skip your workout: 

• Work.  Let’s face it, working 40+ hours a week keeps you busy and sometimes work gets in the way of working out.  I do my best to schedule my day around the gym (which is why I go at 6am) so that my job doesn’t interfere, even accidentally, with my health routine. On occasion however, tight deadlines, end of month pushes, and demanding bosses get in the way.  You’ve gotta put food on the table, so skipping your workout for work is just how life goes sometimes.  
• Needing down time. Mental exhaustion is real.  When you work full-time, working out 4-6 days a week can feel like it takes up all your down time.  It’s important for us to decompress a few times a week and sometimes that means skipping your workout to prioritize mental health. #self-care
• Sleep. I usually prioritize sleep over my workouts. Working out at 6am mostly fits into my lifestyle however there are those rare nights where I’m up or couldn’t sleep for some reason.  Since I want to be on my A-game at work, I’ll use the extra hour to get more shut-eye vs. exerting myself when I’m not fully rested.
• Travel. Whether business or pleasure, traveling can put a wrench in our gym plans. Use the hotel gym, go explore the town on a jog, or opt for walking as much as possible.  This one is tough to avoid but you can always jump on to YouTube to find a hotel workout you can do from the comfort of your room.  
• Extreme soreness. This can be a slippery slope so be careful.  Extreme muscle soreness is the kind that hurts when you go down stairs, sit down, or lift your arms.  Especially if you haven’t exercised in a while, even the thought of exerting yourself further can be too much.  Keep in mind though, you can workout even when you’re sore so this shouldn’t be an excuse most of the time. You’d be surprised, when you are in the middle of a workout, you often end up forgetting you were sore in the first place and work right through it. It’s magical, give it a shot.  
• Holidays. During the holidays, either we, or our families and friends are traveling to gather together. This is an important time to connect and enjoy one another’s company. If you can’t make the gym, go on long walks or jogs. You’d be surprised how great walking is for your health.  You burn almost 100 calories for every 2000 steps. That’s easy!! Aim for 10,000 steps a day when you can’t make it to the gym to stay on track.
• Major life events. Weddings, births, deaths, anniversaries, family reunions.  Each of these are more important than hitting the gym. Instead, opt for activities with your loved ones that are activity based, vs. food/drink based. This gets everyone out and about, burning calories, and will make everyone feel better to boot.
• Illness. Don’t exercise when you’re body is clearly telling you “Hey, chill out for a while, I need some rest.” If you are feeling pretty good other than some sniffles, and you are antsy to get moving, go for it.
• Injury. All depending on the type of injury of course.  If your knee is hurting, you wouldn’t want to run, but you can still do push-ups, pullups, maybe even yoga or a different style of fitness altogether.  The main point is to be mindful of the type of injury you have, work around it if you can, often times, accommodations are available if you ask a professional fitness instructor.

Conclusion

A regular workout routine is important to maintain but remember if you miss a workout it’s not the end of the world.  Taking care of yourself and capitalizing on the special moments life has to offer are all good reasons to skip your workout.  Be confident you’ll jump right back into your routine as soon as the moment has passed.