I Didn't Do My Scheduled Workout...

And the world did not come to an end.

Husband and I work out every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. We have been very diligent about going, except on those days where weather heinousness or RA flares keep us at home. But this past Wednesday, I was having none of it. I was stressing over one of my courses. I just didn't want to got to the gym, knowing that I had all of this stuff I had to do.

In the past, I would feel extremely guilty about not going to the gym. I could justify sickness or that there is two feet of snow on the ground and the gym is closed. But even under those circumstances, I would not allow myself to be human. I would beat myself up and/or overcompensate the next day by not eating or working out in excess as a form of punishment. Sometimes, I would figure I was doomed and give up on working out altogether.

The truth is, it is not the end of the world to miss a workout. Would working out have helped me in that situation? Probably. Sometimes a good workout can help alleviate stress. But, I really believed that I needed to just get the task done sooner rather than later. And I did complete what I wanted.

I also told myself that I should not expect perfection. That is something I have battled with for most of my life. If I don't do things perfectly or don't complete every task I have set for the day, somehow I am unworthy or a failure. I have to learn that one missed workout does not mean that I am doomed or that I now have hustle to make it up. Working out is only one part of my life that has to be managed like everything else. It is supposed to make me feel good about myself. It's supposed to help me be a healthier person.

So, I gave myself permission to be human. To quote Husband's favorite professor from undergrad "Well, we didn't get much done today, but we'll give 'em hell tomorrow."

So true.