You know the drill: Wake up, work all day, come home exhausted and yet your to-do list seems to have grown longer. The last thing you want to make time for is a workout. You’ve worked hard and feel exhausted—why go running?!
When I hear this from my clients, or when I think these thoughts myself, I pose two questions:
1) Will I feel better or worse after I finish my workout?
2) Will I regret going to work out?
Chances are, your answers are BETTER and NO, respectively. But I get it! It’s hard to justify turning off Netflix and leaving your comfy couch to spend even a few minutes boosting your heart rate. But find your reason to remember that it is worth it. We don’t exercise simply to look smokin’ in our summer bikini; hopefully, you also exercise to feel strong, to have more energy, to sleep better and stress less, and to bring out the best version of yourself. If you don’t have 60+ minutes to devote to burning calories, that’s okay!
Anything is Better Than Nothing.
A recent article from Shape.com explained how your brain responds to running. There’s a lot of science in the piece, but the take-away is that running definitely boosts your mood and the more in-shape you are, the better you feel. How’s that for incentive to get out and move more?
To fool my brain into leaving the house for a jog, I say, “Okay, just put your running shoes on and leave the house for 20 minutes. Whatever happens happens. At least you’re still lapping everyone on the couch.” This can be a great way to take the pressure off yourself and just enjoy the outdoors and build up a sweat to detox from your day. So you walk a little bit, maybe jog a little bit. Anything goes! There are still benefits that are racking up, especially compared to the alternative of lounging in your sweats, eating snacks, and marathoning “Game of Thrones”. Consider these 13 hot new workouts to try this summer!
According to the article, a French research study has proven that after aerobic training, your endorphins and other neurotransmitters allow for the release of dopamine, which gives you a sense of pleasure and dulls your sensitivity to pain.
Whatever kind of shape you’re in, your elevated heart rate and blood pressure continues to pump oxygen to your brain and body even after your workout, hence the sharp and energized feeling. Even a quick 20 to 30 minute jaunt will still leave you feeling better than when you started. And that’s all you can ask for.
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The 5-minute Bathroom Break Workout