Even a Little is Beneficial
This afternoon when I got home from work I was in one of those moods where all you want to do is get on the couch under the covers. And pass out.
That is what I did.
I wanted to go to the gym but the pouring rain made my drive home absolutely manic (people drive like freakin’ idiots in the rain…or anytime) so the last thing I wanted to do was get back into the car to drive there. So I was going to do a little workout at home but instead of doing it first thing like I should have, instead I had a few of my coconut chocolate chip banana oat protein bites and laid down on the couch to watch some Friends.
An hour later I woke up even more tired than before…but I didn’t want to not do anything because that usually just makes me feel like a piece of crap. I knew I didn’t need to do anything too crazy because I did my squat sculpt leg circuit yesterday plus ran 5.5 miles and I have a long run planned for tomorrow of 10-11 miles, so I just told myself to get up and do something.
I started out doing a little hamstring stretch and just hung upside down for a while. It felt nice to breathe and let my muscles stretch out a bit. Then I picked up my 8 pound dumbbells and told myself to do reps til fatigue. Then I did the same thing with shoulder presses. Then with triceps extensions. And then with bent over rows, rear delt flyes, and hammer curls. By then I was pretty much in workout mode. So I incorporated stairs and some squats, too.
By the end of it…this is what my workout looked like:
Turned out to be a decent lil workout! Even doing a little bit of a workout is still beneficial. It got my blood flowing, woke up me up, curbed my appetite (all I wanted to do was munch, munch, munch on snacks), got me to break a little sweat, and made me feel better. Sometimes it’s hard to remember…but next time you don’t feel “in the mood” to workout, just do a little something. Like a few bicep curls. Chances are you will want to keep doing just a little bit more and a little bit more until before you know it, you’ve done a workout 
Even a little something is better than nothing at all!
I actually feel like going to do a few more reps now…
That’s all I have for tonight…I am planning on spending the evening with Michael…possibly dinner and a movie. It’s still pouring out though so perhaps we will have a PJ night. We’ll see.
Any Friday night plans for you?
Totally know what you mean about the rain…haha! That looks like a great workout! I’m just hanging out at home … baby is sleeping … hubs is getting back from a work trip. No big plans! My long run (8 miles) is Sunday!
Totally agree! I used to have such an ‘all or nothing’ attitude towards working out: if I wasn’t going to the gym for 2 hours, then why bother?
Thankfully, I grew a brain and have now learnt just how beneficial a few stretches at home, a bit of ab work, or a quick walk around the block can be! Just being active in a non-stressful, non-time-consuming way is great for your mind and body — probably a lot better than grinding out gruelling junk hours in the gym where you’re miserable and hurting for every second of it!
So true. I struggle with that all or nothing approach to fitness…. it’s so important to remember that it’s all about balance!
Bessssss
I need your help, I am really trying to tone my stomach. I don’t know how many sets/reps I should do.. and what excercises are the best for a flat/strong stomach!
I am 19 years old, 5 foot 4 and 103 lbs.. I would like to gain pounds in muscle, not fat.
Any suggestions?? Thank YOUUU! <3
Hey Lizzie. I would say one of my favorite stomach-flattening exercises are planks. Both regular and side planks really work your whole core! However no matter how many sit ups, crunches, or planks you do, you won’t see a change if you don’t also supplement with cardio and proper diet. If you’d like a more specific and detailed plan I would be happy to create you an online training plan.