There are many logical reasons one might skip out on a workout:
- Soreness from the previous day
- Bad weather
- Lack of sleep
- Short on time
If you’re sore from a workout but have energy and time, you should do something light like walk or some Yogadownload.
If it’s raining but you’re physically able to workout, you should mosey on to the gym in the rain.
If you’re tired but have time and sunny weather, take a nap and then go.
But my general agreement with myself is if two or more of these criteria apply, I take a rain check for the gym. I’d rather have a rest day and a great workout tomorrow than two mediocre workouts back 2 back. If you have two or more, stay home, relax and forgetaboutit.
Today I was feeling tired from sleeplessness. I was feeling sore from yoga (and my butt’s bike accident!). And it was raining. And while I did have some time to go, technically with my internship schedule, I was short on time because I had plenty of things to do to prepare for work the next day!
So hands down, today was a good day to take a nice rest.
***
Dinner tonight was a Matt special (I plan one crockpot dinner for him to throw together per week)
Sweet Potato Lentils
This was supposed to be a soup, but it came out more like a warm salad. Turned out perfect! Would have been nice scooped with chips too 🙂
Throw into crockpot and set to low for 6 hours:
- 3/4 pound green lentils
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 celery, chopped
- 1 small sweet tater, chopped
- .5 tsp garlic gold oil or garlic
- 2 cups Imagine Veggie broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp garam masala (or other spices)
- S&P to taste
Serves ~3-4
Topped with chopped roasted almonds (wonderful addition!!!), coconut and greek yogurt. The flavors and eating style of this bowl weren’t too far removed from oatmeal!!
Served with a coconut-water-on-ice cocktail. The ONE coconut water is much thicker than the Vita-coco. I didn’t like it in my workout water bottle but it was pretty good on its own.
I sure am feeling sleeping. Thinking about going up to red in bed at 8. And hopefully I will be asleep by 9!
A new Gossip Girl calls for an early rise, and I have to catch up on sleep somewhere!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
i totally agree with you on your point of view regarding rest days – I do the same thing! no reason to force something your body is rejecting!
This dinner dish looks fantastic – and easy! I love the flavors. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be trying it soon!
Heather says
Sweet potato lentils??!! Wow-I am going to try this. SOON. What a combo…..my mouth is watering 😀
Thanks for sharing!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
I can’t wait to see GG!!
Your dinner sounds good and I have to say, good call on the workout! Sometimes your body just NEEDS the rest!
Camille says
Dinner sounds phenomenal! I will definitely stash that recipe away for a rainy day 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Sweet potatoes and lentils may be my two favorite foods–oh my gosh this looks good!
And I agree about taking a rest. When I’m really not feeling the gym or running, I like to go for a long walk. Helps me unwind, besides exercise.
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I’ve never thought to make lentils in the crockpot. It’s always been the stove. But that sounds like a life saver!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
A well-deserved rest day Kath! No regrets there! Sounds like a fabulous and simple dinner for Monday night.
Holly says
I love your healthy relationship with listening to your body, Kath. Keeps me reading!
Natalie @ Keep It Sassy says
Love your two or more theory when it comes to skipping workouts. I’ll have to try that!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Rest is good! Our bodies need it to recuperate and restore itself. Rest well, my friend! 🙂
Sweet potato + lentils look delish. YUM
Jenn
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I find the ONE coconut water has a different taste to it. It allowed me to drink it slowly and enjoy it rather than gulp it down like I usually do 😉
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Sweet potato lentils sound delicious!
Simply Life says
I love rest days because then I feel so much better the next day when I get back into my workout!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Do you eat most of your meals outside?
I cannot wait until it warms up in Saskatchewan so I can start eating outside!!
Kath says
I’d say about 50%?
Maggie @ Fit.Fun.Food says
That’s really good advice for exercise! Enjoy Gossip Girl!
Lauren says
Great philosophy and I agree. It’s better to have one killer workout than 2 that don’t add up. Just makes sense! 🙂
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
fantastic logic!
what an amazing crock pot meal! yum! I really like lentils!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
Good call on taking a rest day, sounds like you need some SERIOUS sleep!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’ve yet to put lentils in the crockpot – i should b/c then you don’t have to soak em!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
I love that you took the time to *rest*, Kath!!! I think we could all use a rest day now and then. Sometimes I feel that it’s one of the most overlooked parts of a healthy lifestyle. 😀
I’ll bet tomorrow’s workout is going to be simply uh-mazing for you! 😀
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
That looks amazing!
I have to give myself some leeway with taking a day of rest too. But you are totally right that one great workout is better than two mediocre ones.
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I hope you enjoyed your rest time. I think I might have to make a crock pot recipe this week.
Meg @ Be Fit Be Full says
Good choice to use today as a rest day. Even though I had all day yesterday to exercise my body was screaming for rest!
Rachel says
I totally did not work out today. I meant too, but I took a nap, woke up and I’m still tired. I’m about to clean the apartment and call it a night. Better luck tomorrow! And it makes me feel better that I wasn’t the only one today 🙂
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Lentils are really the answer to all bean questions! They are tasty, quick and really good for you! I have been craving them lately too! It’s kind of weird because my kids really like them, but turn there noses up on some other beans. Have a nice evening!
Erin says
Completely agree. It’s amazing what your body will do for you if you just listen carefully 🙂
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Hey good for you for taking a rest day. You deserve it!
[email protected] says
thanks for sharing that recipe!! Looks absolutely wonderful!!
[email protected] says
Lentils are so underrated! I made a batch last week with carrots, garlic, ginger, and turmeric. So filling and delicious! And nutritious, and affordable …. love ’em.
Great advice on the workout reasoning. I’ve pushed myself too many times to workout when I really should have rested. I think I’m getting better at knowing what my body needs these days though.
Claire says
Sounds like you have some great reasons for working and when not to as well. I agree with them all…
those flavors for dinner sound delicious too!
Heather says
I totally agree about taking a rest day when you have several things like that going against you. It’s jus tnot worth it to end up having a crappy workout!
Shawna @ Balancing Me says
Yum, this is the perfect thing for me to do with those lentils I’ve been trying to use up. I love them, but I always seem to make traditional soup or burgers, so this would be a perfect compromise, I think. Love the addition of the almonds, too!
Lisa of Lisa at Home says
I’ve been looking for a way to use lentils, too! This looks great.
And I totally second the take a break day from a workout regime.
Hannah says
Well done for making the best decision for your body. And that “salad” does look scrumptious and nourishing, particularly with your tying together of the coconut garnish and the coconut water!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
I’m so bad at taking a break from working out. I just get really really guilty feeling and lazy.
I hope you enjoyed it and get some serious rest.
Megan says
Thanks for sharing your determining factors for a “rain check” workout. I can have a tendancy to get over involved in the schedule of it all– you put it perfectly about not wanting to settle for 2 mediocre workouts.
Sarah @ foodformiles says
I was just about to leave for a run and it started POURING……my half marathon next week is getting scarier….
Amber K says
Great ideas for rest days! I’m definitely going to have to remember this and not feel so guilty when everything seems to bar me from doing a workout!
Kellie says
I agree. It is better to have a a rest day and then a great workout, than two so-so workouts in a row.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
You make simple coconut water so appetizing. Great pic.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i totally agree that if you just really wouldn’t have a great workout there’s no reason to push it…i bet you wake up and have a fabulous workout tomorrow!
Jillian says
Haha- I love that you refer to it as “my butt’s bike accident” 🙂
Veggielady4life says
I took a rest day today, too! So nice!
Mighty sweet of Matt to throw that dinner together for you… 🙂
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) says
I agree completely with your logic. It is nice to see that out there on your blog too. I think a lot of people feel the pressure to never skip a workout EVER, but you are really doing more harm than good to your body in that case! Good to see smart statements like that one.
Hailey S. (Adventures in Health) says
That looks super yummy, would probably be good with red potatoe as well. Just found your blog!!! Luv it!!
Wei-Wei says
I’m glad – I think that’s the healthiest thing of all, knowing when to give yourself a break. It’s all about balance! And if you need the rest, then so be it!
Dinner sounds delicious, by the way. (It really does sort of sound/look like oatmeal!)
Have a great night!
Wei-Wei
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
That’s good logic – one thing can be overcome, but a combination – you’ll just have a bad time and it’ll make you dread the next one!
LOVE that soup/salad/lentil thing – it sounds amazing!
Marina says
Yum, lentils and sweet potatoes are a great combo, and topping it with some almonds, amazing!
Can’t wait for that gossip girl 🙂
M says
I love Vita-coco and can barely stomach ONE. I’m glad someone feels the same way (the sole ingredient — coconut water — is identical! How can they taste so different?).
Erica says
I took a rest day yesterday too. I was hitting 3 of those on the list and really needed the break. So glad I did- I feel 100% better today. Dinner looks amazing. I was planning on having a sweet potato tonight and just may make a mini version of this meal for myself! I have to teach tonight, so I am planning on throwing it in the crock pot before I go. Thank you for the idea
Anne says
Kath, ever tried Zico coconut water? I haven’t tried ‘one’ or vita coco but zico is awesome – the texture is thinner, like water – and I just started putting it in my camelbak with ice when i do long runs… super quenching!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
A very appropriate post…I contemplated skipping the gym today because of lack of sleep but did manage to drag myself there after all. When I arrived…no Body Pump class! I was so mad. Buuuut since I was up I went for an hour long walk in the sunshine :). So I didn’t let my one excuse stop me from getting active!! 🙂
The Healthy Apple says
Sounds delishy, Kath…I love sweet potatoes and you can’t go wrong with adding them to lentils. Thanks; have a great day!
Ashley says
Uhhhhh YUM to dinner. Amen about the working out! Doesn’t it feel extra good when you listen to your body/mind and know you made the right decision about a workout!??
Jen says
I made the sweet potato lentils for lunch today and they were delish!!