Do You Really Never Regret A Workout?

I enjoy many of the inspirational fitness slogans that make their way around the internet, and have a Pinterest board with some of the ones that speak to me. But sometimes “fitspiraiton” goes to far, and I don’t agree with all of the messages out there.

I think this is the one that bugs me the most:

Regret That Workout

 Because this is my reality:

Regret That Workout
I have regretted the treadmill workout that tweaked my knee, the run when I tripped and got a gash in my elbow, and the week of yoga classes that I thought I could handle until a backache told me otherwise. While I haven’t gotten mugged, I recently realized that the possibility is the one thing that scares me about running.

So, let’s be real. There are times when you do regret that workout.

That said, I usually am motivated to get out of bed for my o’dark-thirty workouts because I know that I will regret it later if I hit the snooze button instead. Still, there are some days when more sleep is the right choice, or when I really don’t have time for a workout. Maybe I could get up at 4:00 am to exercise before a 7:00 am flight, but that wouldn’t bode well for the responsibilities I have later in the day. Maybe I could exercise after dinner, but spending time with my husband after we’ve been apart for a few days can be more important than burning a few hundred calories.

[Tweet “Do you really never regret a workout?”]

One motivational slogan that covers all of these bases is “what you can when you can” (also known as #wycwyc). #WYCWYC really is a movement started by Roni Noone and Carla Birnberg. As Roni explains, the idea is “to inspire people to throw away the perfection mindset when it comes to diet and exercise” and encourage people “to do What You Can When You Can because it all counts.”

When you are doing WYCWYC, you don’t have to offer excuses for doing less than someone else, less than you did last week, or even less than you planned. As Carla says, doing WYCWYC is enough because it really is all you can do.

That last thought is important. WYCWYC is not an excuse to do less when you could do more but just can’t peel yourself away from that second cup of coffee or Facebook or the next episode of your current NetFlix binge show. Living by the principles of WYCWYC requires you to be honest with yourself and accountable to your goals and priorities. When you are doing WYCWYC, you can sleep soundly knowing that you are doing your best–and you can hit the snooze button without guilt when it really is the right decision.

Have you ever regretted a workout?

Is it hard to accept that doing #wycwyc really is enough? 

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25 Responses to Do You Really Never Regret A Workout?

  1. You said it perfectly. #wycwyc is not an excuse to do less. It a way to be accountable to yourself and your goals. And, I don’t think I’ve ever really regretted a workout. I always seem to have injuries flare up after doing something benign. 🙁

    • Coco says:

      They say that household injuries are the most common reason for ER visits – I’ve had my share of those too! 😉

  2. Love the #wycwyc I had not heard of that one. I regretted the run I did that caused my stress fracture in January. I was dumb-I knew I was hurting. Lesson learned.

  3. Yes! #Wycwyc is not an excuse – it’s about accountability and getting off the “fitperfection” bandwagon where you push your body too hard. Great post!

  4. I really love #wycwyc – the positive message to do our best is helpful for everyone! No need to beat yourself up for what wasn’t.

    • Coco says:

      Yes, it’s good to have enough workout guilt to motivate you to get it done, but if you don’t you need to let it go.

  5. I love this post! You can go overboard on anything, just like regret is possible in anything.

  6. Yum Yucky says:

    Yes, I regret the workouts that were not properly planned the night before OR when I squandered my precious workout time and then end up only getting in 15 minutes or so. I regret those because I did not work up to my fullest potential. I leave those workouts feeling like have unfinished business.

    • Coco says:

      Oh, good ones! When I dilly dally I always regret it, because once I get started I usually do want to do a full workout.

  7. Well said! That saying always pisses me off and I’m glad you refuted it with the grace.

    You are one of the most disciplined exercisers I know and I love your honesty.

  8. Kim says:

    I’m so excited for Carla & Roni about WYCWYC and the book!!!
    I don’t know if I had ever thought about it before but now that you put it like that, YES, I have regretted a few workouts!!! The main ones are the one when I know I’m injured and workout anyway!!!

  9. I instantly think of the workout where I tried over the curb and skinned, scrapped, cut up my entire body head to toe. OUCH!

  10. I thought that same thing when I first saw that phrase. It’s true that I rarely do, but when it happens, it’s definitely injury-related. No fun!

  11. Momshomerun says:

    I can honestly say I have never regretted a workout. I only regret the workouts I skipped!

  12. jill conyers says:

    I have regretted a run once. My body was telling me to skip the run and as usual at the time (NOT NOW) I didn’t listen. I pushed it when I shouldn’t have. It was an awful run all around and I actually told my husband “I should have skipped today’s run.”

    Other than that, I’ve never regretted a workout! Quite the opposite.

  13. <3 THIS!
    I regretted a workout just last week! I went back to lifting after a break and went all out. Not the best idea I've ever had, cuz I couldn't stand up straight for a couple days – my back was hurting that much.
    The think is, my body was telling me I needed the rest but I didn't want to miss a day so soon after just starting back.
    Definitely not my best idea…

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  15. Such a great post – bravo for sharing! And yes, I totally regret that workout 3 weeks ago when I pushed myself during a 6 mile and pulled my upper hamstring. No running or boot camp since 🙁

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