Are there ever days that you feel like you’ve back-tracked in your exercise progress? Often times, we see people get a bit discouraged when they get more easily tired or feel more “out of shape” during a workout than they are used to. But the reality is there are so many factors that play into the amount of energy you have during a workout, and it can be hard to consistently control these factors every day. So don’t worry- it is natural to have a “bad day” every once in a while.
If you’re feeling a bit tired during your bike ride or run one day, think about your work out patterns… Did you hit the gym around the same time you usually do? How much did you eat that day and the day before? Did you get adequate sleep last night? Are you HYDRATED?! Less sleep, food, and water in your system will prevent your muscles from being able to work as hard as usual. Your body will likely also feel more fatigued by the end of the day than in the morning. So it makes sense that any alterations in these routine patterns can affect how you feel while trying to work up a sweat.
Again, slow days are natural and very hard to avoid. So don’t let it get you down. Fitting any form of physical activity into your busy schedule will benefit your body tremendously, even if it feels a little worse one day. And chances are- you’ll feel as good as new again tomorrow! You can, however, try to minimize the chance of having a “bad day” by getting into a good routine. Try to get to the gym around the same time every day, eat similar amounts of healthy food, drink plenty of water, and get your beauty rest!