And no matter what the workout is or the level of intensity you bring to it, even a “bad” training session is giving your body a regular routine. “Creating habits will help you understand that not every day will be your best, but developing consistency will help you prevent too many highs and lows,” Maxwell says. “Our bodies respond to what we do consistently. Some days, we are not motivated, so we have to rely on discipline.
Be sure and check in with yourself on what’s really going on—and the language you're telling yourself about having an off-day. “If you tell yourself you are tired, then you will be tired,” Maxwell says. “If you say, ‘I am feeling less energetic than normal, so I will go outside for a walk and allow the fresh air to pep me up,’ you will likely feel very different. I believe in the mind-body connection and if we tell ourselves something, our body will follow.
However, Maxwell also says to honor your body if you what you really do need is a rest day or if you are sick: “Listen to your body. There isBut if what you need is a mind-over-matter workout to get your endorphins flowing, ditch the goals and just get moving. While your plan that day might have been to hit a spin class, let yourselfinstead while connecting with a friend or listening to a good audiobook.