We all have those days where we just don’t feel like getting up, or at least … don’t feel like jumping in those sneakers and hitting the gym. Today was one of those days for me. I had been feeling a bit off balance the entire weekend, not eating right and not giving my all during training. I chose to blame it on the weather and snow storm (after all, it feels better to have something or someone to blame doesn’t it?).  I nearly fell for the temptation not to go to the gym this morning, after all I have an extremely busy schedule this week, and if my body tells me no, I should just give in and listen to that, right? WRONG. It is NOT my body telling me not to go, it’s my MIND. And if I choose to always give myself an option to go or not, most likely, as a human, I will always opt for the easiest way out. That’s how bad habits get started – and becomes routine. Much like how pounds and cellulite creep up on you out of nowhere. How bad moods keep coming back, and the self esteem suffers because I feel like I let myself down.

Yes, I don’t always feel like working out. But what separates success from failure is the ability to power through emotions and keep focus on your long term goal even on tough days. Days when you wonder why the hell you have the goals you do, why you do the things you do, and what the purpose is of it all. Well, today I can honestly say I was reminded of how important it is to stay determined and keep going. When I got to the gym, I got a slow start on the treadmill, before working my way over to the weight room and starting my lower body routine. I always give myself about 20 minutes before I really get “into it” and then I always feel happy that I am where I am. Then out of nowhere, two muscle heads came up to me on separate occasions during my work out, and asked me if I was training for an event or competing – that made me feel really good! One guy said he has a lot of respect for how hard I work and the weights I’m lifting. There’s no describing what a boost that was, and what a nice surprise and way to start the week – especially since I was feeling fat and out of shape minutes before! So lesson learned today. If I feel down and crappy again, I know I will improve my mood tremendously be staying on track, doing my routine even if I could think of a million other things I’d rather do at the time – because at the end of the day, being in shape and continuing to see progress in my body is what makes my blood flow!

So there – go get your work out on even if you don’t feel like it. I can guarantee you will feel ten times better about yourself afterwards. Rome wasn’t built in one day, the same way you won’t get the body you dreamed of in that short amount of time either. Be patient and before you know it, you won’t ask your self ‘should I’… you will just go because your body is craving it. Even on crappy days.