Confessions Of A Workout Slacker

Written by Greg

I have a confession to make.  For the past week, I’ve been a complete workout slacker.  Other than a few pushups, I’ve done nothing.  Zip.  Zilch.

Now for my excuse.

I spent most of the week on the beach with my wife and kids.  There were some work days, but a lot of building sand castles and searching for seashells, too.

For people that enjoy fitness, it can become an obsession.  For instance, when you go on vacation, does passing by your running shoes, inspire guilt?

If you drive by a Gold’s Gym on your way to the beach, do you turn your head longingly, nose pressed to the glass, beseeching your partner to turn back?

If this is you — you might have a problem…

I did take my running shoes, but they sat, unused, in my suitcase for the entire week.  Every time I went to for a change, they were staring longingly at me.  Perhaps aching for a run on the sand?  I considered it a few times, but just couldn’t bring myself to lace them up and take off without the family.

I’ve eaten badly, too.

But, I feel absolutely zero guilt over my week off.

OK.  Maybe a little guilt…

But, I spent quality time away from home with my family.  These opportunities are few and far between, so I figure its worth it.

Now, its time to pay the piper.  I have a 5K race at the end of October to run, and I’ll probably be unhappy with my time, but that’s O.K.

This goes back to an earlier assertion about fitness and priorities.  All too often, fitness becomes an end unto itself.  It’s easy to fall into the trap of becoming obsessive about workouts — the feeling that a missed workout is a betrayal of sorts.

If you reach this point, have you become a slave to your workouts?

I don’t want my workouts to rule my life.  I want to be fit so I can live a long, enjoyable life.  So, right or wrong, I took the week off.

How do you deal with vacations and fitness?  Do you lay off, or continue with your routine, regardless of other activities?

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9 Responses to “Confessions Of A Workout Slacker”

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  1. Casey
    October 12, 2009 at 7:17 am

    I think it’s all about why you are going to the gym.

    Some people go to the gym simply because they love it. It’s a second home to them, so even on vacation they look for opprotunites to squeeze in a quick workout.

    Others, like myself, and you it sounds like, workout to improve their lives. If thats the case, then what good is exercising if we don’t go out and enjoy the fruits of our labors? Nothing wrong with going out and take a week with the family.

    If you’re not enjoying your life, you’re doing it wrong!

  3. Mark
    October 13, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    We all need to take time to rejuvenate and change habits.

  4. Kai
    October 13, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    When I am away to the beach for a week, I would not go to the gym but I would do sprints in the sand. That is a very good workout that is fast, and I will also swim as well.

  5. Greg
    October 13, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    @Casey — Absolutely! I spent the entire week telling myself that, and I believe it.

    @Andrew — Thanks! One of the hardest things for a runner to do is break training.

    @Mark — I have made it a habit to take off 2 weeks over Christmas for recovery. Maybe this year I’ll only take 1 week.

    @Kai — I usually go for a run on the beach when I’m there on business, but having my family with me just held me back. I’ve gone swimming before as well, parallel to the beach. Unfortunately, the shark sightings and jellyfish were a bit of a deterrent… :-)

  6. Stephen - Rat Race Trap
    October 15, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Hi Greg. I don’t think it is generally good to become obsessive about anything. Aside from that it’s really hard for me to believe that a little time for your body to rejuvenate is not good for you.

  7. Jeff B.
    October 15, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    Great article! Saw it on Site Sketch, and I’ve browsed around other articles here too. Thanks for the reminder about healthy diet and exercise.

    Subscribed to Feedburner emails as well!

    ~Jeff