10 Reasons Not to Skip Your Workout

Fitness is hard work. In a world where more and more people are living sedentary lives, and free-time is hard to come by, it's tempting to skip a workout now and again, citing exhaustion, mental well-being, or time constraints. Here are 10 compelling reasons NOT to skip that workout.

1) Dodging the Snowball - Skipping a workout can have a snowball effect. Missing one makes it easier to miss two, and after three or four, why not give up altogether? Momentum is critical to success in building healthy habits, don't lose it by skipping a workout when you don't have to.

2) Get an Energy Boost - Exercise is an instant wake-up call. It increases alertness, boosts energy, and keeps you on your toes. If you tend to crash in the afternoon, maybe you can get your workout during lunch and let the energy boost carry you through a productive afternoon.

3) Make Progress - Whether you're training for a marathon, building muscle, losing weight, or just trying to stay fit, sitting around will simply not get you there. Every workout is truly a measurable step toward your goal, so if you care about the goal, get in the scheduled workouts.

4) There's a Beer Waiting for you at the End - Even the healthiest among us love the occasional beer, slice of pizza, or chocolate mousse. Regular exercise puts you in a position to enjoy your vices without guilt, and makes that cold beer even tastier. Remember, though, a workout is not a free pass - use common sense.

5) Keep Up - Competition can be a healthy motivator. You have a friend, family member, or training partner who's making more progress than you are. Get in your workouts or they'll leave you in the dust.

6) Sweet Dreams - You may feel exhausted at the end of a long day, yet have trouble sleeping. Regular exercise helps to regulate your sleep cycles while your body looks after itself. Keep up the workouts and you'll be more likely to sleep through the night and get actual rest.

7) Stay Healthy - Moderate exercise immediately boosts the immune system, and continues to benefit overall health for hours or even days following each workout. Don't overdo it, though - too much intense exercise can actually cause your immune system to crash, forcing you to take a rest. Keep it reasonable, but keep it consistent.

8) Build Confidence - The act of working out regularly boost confidence very quickly. Gains in strength, stamina, or weight loss improve your self-image, and these feeling will carry over to the rest of your life.

9) Get Away - Your daily workout gives you a great excuse for alone-time. Get out of the office, away from roommates, or a take a break from the kids. It's good for your body AND your mind.

10) Feel Superior - I know it's not politically correct, but it feels really good when I walk past the lunchroom full of sedentary folk at work, knowing that I ran 5 miles today and that they didn't. I'm not saying you should brag, but it's not an awful thing to quietly gloat about your level of motivation - you have cause to be proud.

Excuses are pretty easy to come up with when you're trying to avoid heading over to the weights or out on the road. Hang onto this list, and hit yourself over the head with it the next time you consider skipping out on your workout for any reason at all.