When you really don't want to work out

I so did not want to work out this morning. I felt too tired, too slow, too worn out to exert myself physically. But I hate regret and I knew that come afternoon, I'd kick myself for not accomplishing the one task that always makes my day run smoothly. Without a workout, I end up cranky, irritable, and completely overwhelmed by the bickering and whining that begins once I pick up my boys from school. So this morning, I worked out.

To get in the right fitness frame of mind, I told myself that even if I walked only one mile on my treadmill, it would be better than nothing. So I hopped on. And I walked half a mile. Then I told myself I could satisfy my exercise requirement faster if I ran. So I started running, prepared to log one mile and then walk for the rest of two miles. Then I'd be done. But something happened: I kept running. I ran the one mile, and then two more laps, and then two more, and then another two. Before I knew it, 35 minutes had lapsed, and I'd walked and run three whole miles. This is pretty close to what I do every day. For so not wanting to work out today, I unintentionally tricked myself into tackling what will prevent me from hours of regret later in the day.

So here are my words of wisdom: Even if you really, really don't want to work out, give it a whirl anyway. You may be surprised that once you get moving, your internal drive will kick in and you'll soar past your most basic intentions. And how refreshed and thankful you'll feel when the job is complete.