Why your workout suddenly feels hard. You know how when you workout and you have one of those days where everything feels really awesome and you have boundless energy and you’re just killing it? Then you have those other days where every step is a chore and you can’t seem to lift your arms, let alone when you are holding weights. It’s super frustrating. I hate leaving the gym or a dance class and feeling like it was kind of a waste of time because I couldn’t do anything right. So, how come this happens? Why can we have such a great workout one day and an awful one the next? What is up with that? I mean, you made the effort to actually workout, so why is it suddenly so hard?

WHY YOUR WORKOUT SUDDENLY FEELS HARD

The thing is, you have to think of your body like a machine. Sure, we’ve all heard this before, but what does that actually mean? It’s one thing to be dealing with our bodies when we are in our 20s, but in your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond we have to start treating them with more respect and consideration. Working out is no longer just jumping out to the gym for an hour and then going about your day. At this point, it has to become a lifestyle change. Now before you freak out and think that you have to become obsessed with changing everything, that’s not true. You simply have to be more mindful about your body.

Get More Sleep. We are all busy and there are days when we don’t get enough sleep, just know that getting a good night’s rest is vital to your body and its healing process.  The more sleep you miss, the higher your levels of cortisol (stress hormone), the bigger your appetite and the more you eat….. See where I’m going with this? When you are exhausted, will power basically goes out the window and there’s a good chance you are also eating more in order to give yourself the necessary energy to function.

Eat Right. This is actually fairly simple and I’m not saying that you can’t enjoy a burger or a slice of pizza. This is more about what you eat pre and post workout. I, for one, find that I can only eat a very light meal before a workout, otherwise I’ll just find myself with a very upset stomach. It’s also really important to replenish your system with carbs and protein following a more grueling workout. Read, What To Eat Pre And Post Workout

Hydrate. Seems obvious right? Often we think we are drinking enough water, but we’re really not. Make sure that you are drinking water leading right up to your workout, during and after. As you sweat, your body loses fluid. Weigh yourself pre and post workout to see just how much you’ve lost. A basic rule is to drink an ounce of water for every ounce you’ve lost. This might vary depending on the weather and the intensity of your workout. Also, watch out for sports drinks. While they may be necessary for prolonged workouts, water should always be your first drink of choice. Read more: What To Eat Pre and Post Workout.

Stretch. I am a huge proponent of stretching. When your muscles are tight and everything hurts, working out is twice as hard. Also, your risk of injury increases because you don’t have an optimal range of motion. Not only that, stretching allows for better circulation. This is vital as blood carries essential nutrients and oxygen to your muscles which in turn helps with recovery. Think less soreness post workout.

Change Up Your Workout. Let’s be honest, even if you love your exercise of choice doing it over and over and over again can get kind of boring and a big part of making a workout easier is your interest in what you are doing. A brand new workout that challenges not only your muscles but your mind as well will always be fresh and exciting. You don’t have to do a different workout every single day, but try to keep things fresh. Read more: The Importance Of Cross Training.

Take It Inside or outside, depending on the weather. If you are a runner or you like to workout outdoors, keep in mind that the weather can impede your workout.

Still not seeing results? Why not do something for yourself and check out FITWISE: Straight Talk About Getting Fit & Healthy. 

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