6 Reasons to Stop Working OutThere are plenty of valid reasons to stop working out, whether it&rsquo

6 Reasons to Stop Working Out

There are plenty of valid reasons to stop working out, whether it’s for a day or forever. Here are six good reasons to put your workout on hold.

You’re not getting enough sleep.
If you’re not sleeping properly, you’re likely to be tired when you go to workout. Tiredness and drowsiness can cause poor form, which can lead to injuries! If you’ve had a bad night’s sleep, just skip your intense workout and do some yoga, stretching, or meditation before bed.

You’re injured.
Unless you’ve been cleared by your doctor, don’t risk workout out with an injury. Ask your doctor or physical therapist if there are modifications or other exercises that would be safe if you’d like, but take their recommendations seriously. If they say no exercise, enjoy your time off to let your body heal.

You view exercise as punishment for something you eat.
Exercise should never be a negative thing or a punishment. This is an unhealthy mindset to get into and one that easily contributes to disordered eating or over-exercising.

You don’t enjoy your workouts.
Why do something you hate? Some people will never enjoy exercising, which means they’ll skimp on it and find reasons not to exercise. Instead, find an activity you enjoy, such as dancing or hiking or martial arts.

You’re exercising to lose weight.
You should exercise to add something to your life, not to try to remove something. Working out should be done to improve your cardiovascular health, to make it easier to carry your young children, to increase your range of flexibility, etc. If your only goal is to lose weight, you can get trapped in a bad mindset.

You hope exercise will fix your problems.
Too many people use their appearance or their time in the gym as an attempt to solve another issue in their life. Instead, tackle those problems head-on, whether that means seeing a therapist, having a difficult talk with a loved one, or making a change in your life.

Exercising is a wonderful thing, with many great benefits, but there are reasons to not work out. The “no excuses” mentality in much of the fitness world these days is dangerous. Listen to your body and don’t feel bad or guilty for giving it a break when it need one or when you want one.

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