When is a Workout “Not Worth It?”

on March 19, 2012
in All Posts

Holy hell. Monday is slipping through my fingers!

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Monday is always rough in the Boyle household because it’s the busiest day at the clinic and we have Bradley Method baby classes at night.  It makes for a long, long day. 

 

However, I wasn’t going to let our epic schedule stop me from hitting the pool.  I’ve totally fallen off the wagon with exercise and really need to get back on track.  So it was POOL OR BUST.

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Here’s the kicker – I was literally so squeezed for time that I only had 17 minutes (exactly) to exercise.  I managed to swim 750 yards – around 685 meters – in that time, which meant that I was flyyyyyin.  According to my own swim standards, of course.  Side note: it is awesome how buoyant you are when you are 6.5 months pregnant.

 

I was thinking during my speedy swim, “Is this even worth it?” I usually aim for 1000 meters / 1000 yards minimum (they aren’t the same distance, I just like the 1000 number).  To me, a workout is ALWAYS worth it.  Even when I was training for a marathon, if all I could do was 2.0 miles, I would still run.  Maybe other marathoners would’ve thought, “Two miles isn’t worth it!” (it is crazy how your mind gets warped when training for a long distance race – anything less than 5.0 miles seems like a walk in the park).  Plus, you’d have to spend all this time driving to the gym, getting dressed, showering, etc. 

 

I guess I’m squarely in the “it’s always worth it!” camp.  Even if that means I have to shower twice in a day.  Squeezing in long workouts isn’t always possible, and I know those little efforts add up.  Also, when I was in my unhealthy stage, I would use “it’s not worth it” as my excuse – meaning, if I couldn’t go balls to the wall (which, ironically, I never did anyway…), there was no point. 

 

Part #1 of lunch was a protein smoothie (soy milk, banana, sunflower butter, protein powder):

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And Part #2 of lunch (chips, carrots, apple, hummus, refried, beans).

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Gonna rustle up some more grub!

 

I’m thinking that the ‘worth it or not’ argument depends a lot on personality, training regimen, and general schedule flexibility. And how much you hate showering. Smile So – what do you think? Shortie workouts – are they worth the effort?

{ 60 comments }

 

  • Lindsay March 19, 2012, 4:22 pm

    I think any workout is worth it! Some days I can only fit in 10-20 minutes and I’d rather fit that in than do nothing. I really think that there is ALWAYS time to get even a short workout in every day.

  • Amanda March 19, 2012, 4:24 pm

    I definitely think it’s always worth it to fit in a workout. I usually consider how much time I have, what I feel like doing, and fit in something. Sometimes its a quick DVD/portion of a DVD, sometimes it’s yoga/weights while I’m watching TV at night, or a quick walk/jog … but I feel like it’s really great to break out of the “all or nothing” mindset. I used to be of this camp and it made workouts less enjoyable because I held myself to too high a standard and often was disappointed with myself! It’s the little things!!

  • Sheri March 19, 2012, 4:25 pm

    I think if I was doing the Naked Face, then it would be so much easier to justify a shorter work out. But the thought of re-doing all of my make up and hair for 20 minutes of exercise just isn’t worth it to me! My husband always tells me that I should squeeze a short one in after work and before dinner with friends for example and I always tell him that he doesn’t get it- that for him, getting ready takes 5 minutes- not me!

  • briana March 19, 2012, 4:27 pm

    from a physical standpoint, i definitely think it’s always worth it. but i do think that for me, it’s not always worth it from a psychological or emotional standpoint. what i mean is that if i am so slammed personally or professionally, sometimes stressing over utilizing 20 minutes for a workout just isn’t worth it.

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed March 19, 2012, 4:27 pm

    I call them BTNs… better than nothing workouts! I think doing something is always better than doing nothing. It definitely adds up 🙂

  • Corrie Anne March 19, 2012, 4:30 pm

    SO WORTH IT. For the mental benefits if not the training benefits!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats March 19, 2012, 4:35 pm

    I definitely think something is always better than nothing! If I have zero time for a workout, I’ll do a few circuit moves when I get up in the morning just to get my heart rate up!

  • Heather March 19, 2012, 4:36 pm

    I am definitely in the something is better than nothing. As a mom of 2 who is always on the run, sometimes my only time to “workout” is a walk during lunch. If that is all I have I move just fast enough that I am not sweating (obviously this would be a different speed in the summer). I have been squeezing portions of workouts in multiple times a day if I have to.

  • Kelly March 19, 2012, 4:45 pm

    Great post. The amount of times that I would have to shower would be the make or break for me. I am happy to squeeze in even a 20 minute run as long as I haven’t already showered for the day! 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) March 19, 2012, 4:46 pm

    I think workouts are always worth it. I am a firm believer in moving to give me more energy. Besides, I just feel better about me and it gives me some time to think. If only for a few minutes, it’s always worth it. It’s my free therapy for the day, if nothing else…

    Have fun tonight!

  • Leah @ Chocolate and Wild Air March 19, 2012, 4:47 pm

    I think all workouts are worth it – every little bit counts! Plus it keeps your workout momentum going throughout the week

  • Jo March 19, 2012, 4:52 pm

    Definitely worth it! Even if it’s as “pathetic” as getting off the bus/subway a couple stations early and walking the rest of the way at an alert pace. It doesn’t make me really sweaty so I might still run a couple errands without showering, but it warms up my muscles, so I deem it ok for rest days.

  • Ari @ Ari's Menu March 19, 2012, 4:59 pm

    I 100% agree that it us always worth it! There have been days where my options are a 15 min work out or nothing, and sometimes those little 15 min work outs leave me more sweaty and spent than my hour long ones! It’s amazing how much you can push yourself when you know the work out will be short. Way to get it done today! 🙂

  • Lindsey March 19, 2012, 5:01 pm

    Always worth it! I used to work out for 45-75 min 5 times a week, but then real life hit wham-bam-thank-you-mam and I have to be savor the 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week that I can squeeze in. But I fully subscribe to the school of thought that any kind of movement gets your blood pumpin’ and makes you feel better–even if it’s just walking around in the sunshine!

  • Johanna B March 19, 2012, 5:04 pm

    Definitely on the side of little workouts count. After all they add up to bigger things.

  • Sarah March 19, 2012, 5:10 pm

    I think it depends on the ratio of time spent preparing/getting re-dressed to time spent working out. If I’m spending 30 minutes getting showered and dressed again, I want to work out for at least that long.

    Otherwise, I’ll choose an activity that doesn’t require so much re-dressing time and put that toward my workout. Like taking a 40 minute walk versus a 20 minute swim. (Unless I were 6.5 months pregnant and swimming sounded so great!)

  • Linds @ Linds Eats March 19, 2012, 5:20 pm

    I so agree with you Caitlin. I think that if you put in the effort to exercise and you realize its importance that any length of workout is worth it. I sometimes hop on my bike and 20 minutes into it I’m just not feeling it. And, that is okay with me because at least I put the effort in. Some days are better than others and I feel way better if I know I’ve tried!

  • Kelly March 19, 2012, 5:29 pm

    I routinely do high intensity 15-20 minute workouts and I love it! Although since I am not in a pool I usually use the it’s not worth it arguement when it comes to taking a shower! Heh. I am gross.

  • Helene @healthyfrenchie March 19, 2012, 5:42 pm

    I’m with you on the short workouts! That’s why I love HIIT workouts! You pack a lot in a short time 🙂

  • Christine @ BookishlyB March 19, 2012, 5:52 pm

    Anything is generally better than nothing, unless it’s going to stress you out more. Somedays a fifteen or thirty minute dent in the daily schedule might just be icing on the cake- at that point I think it’s okay to take the loss and try again the next day.

  • Hillary Valentino March 19, 2012, 5:56 pm

    Unrelated from this post, but I follow your blog and was pretty excited to see you in the ABCNEWS “health” section on my iPhone app! Very exciting for you and The Naked Face Project!

  • Patti March 19, 2012, 6:16 pm

    Totally worth it! I like to do mini circuit routines while I’m cooking dinner. I fall solidly in the “hates the shower time” category, as I literally can’t afford a blow-dryer and would hate to use it anyway. Can’t really show up to auditions or a performance with soaking wet hair, so that can be a bummer workout wise. Just gotta wash off the makeup and work out after!

  • Hillary March 19, 2012, 6:19 pm

    Like you, I think anything’s worth it. Fifteen minutes is better than nothing!

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery March 19, 2012, 6:32 pm

    Today I’m signing up for my first 5k ever! Well it’s also my first organized run ever but it’s for the minding your mind foundation. I’m excited but really nervous! Now my shortie exercises will be worth it!

  • Maria March 19, 2012, 6:42 pm

    If anything, I think shorter workouts are enough to keep me on the workout wagon. When I skip just one day, it turns into two, three, and before I know it, I’m out of the habit. Doing something physical each day keeps my habit alive.

    I just joined a gym with a lap pool and am thinking of adding swimming to my workout routine. Might have to re-read some of your posts for information on how to get started!

  • Lindsay March 19, 2012, 7:06 pm

    Anything is always worth it in my book!! Even a short walk with the pups clears my head and improves my mood and that’s one of the best benefits of exercise for me. I used to be black and white about what counts as “exercise” and how long I should exercise and at what intensity, but I’m now a firm believer that so long as my intentions are good, it all evens out over time.

  • Linz @ Itz Linz March 19, 2012, 7:09 pm

    Totally worth it! Just maybe not worth the extra shower… 😉 Hello, dry shampoo & perfume!

  • Rebecca March 19, 2012, 7:45 pm

    Shortie workouts are definitely worth it! It’s much better than nothing!

  • Gloria March 19, 2012, 8:07 pm

    For me I think it depends on if I’m going to feel rushed or not. Having a short workout might give me a great boost and help me feel more balanced for the rest of the day, but if I’m so crunched for time that I’m rushing and constantly looking at the clock, I feel like it’s better to just plan for the next day and save myself from the anxiety. That’s what works for me, at least 🙂

  • Meredith March 19, 2012, 8:20 pm

    Absolutely worth it. I work out for a minimum of ten minutes everyday, no exceptions. It keeps up momentum so I don’t skip longer workouts, and even though ten minutes is super short, you can still do plenty of crunches in that time 🙂

  • Amanda March 19, 2012, 8:22 pm

    My workout is always worth it! Lately I’ve going to spin classes because I’ve been in a running rut. It’s been so fun! I’m definitely swapping out a run for spinning from now on : D

  • Maren March 19, 2012, 8:33 pm

    Any workout is worth it! Even if it’s a 15 minute walk around the block! I feel that staying active is SO important to maintain healthy weight levels, as well as healthy insides! 🙂

  • Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction March 19, 2012, 8:39 pm

    anything>nothing!

  • Becca March 19, 2012, 9:05 pm

    I believe that every workout counts! Whenever you take time out of your day to focus on health and fitness it is a big achievement. Especially when your day is jammed packed. It could have been extremely easy to make excuses as to why you could not workout for those 17 mins. Great job!

  • Army Amy* March 19, 2012, 9:25 pm

    I love shorty workouts! It can be a real confidence booster to know that I could have done nothing, but I did something instead. Plus they usually feel easy, which keeps things fun and not so chore-like.*

  • Jen March 19, 2012, 9:41 pm

    What are the proportions of ingredients in your smoothie? Are they thick or thin?

    Great job on your workout!

  • Anna March 19, 2012, 10:10 pm

    Shorty workouts=totally worth it. Nothing like a boost of endorphins to get you through the day!

    Also, just wait til you shave your legs haha. Not only will you be buoyant because of pregnancy, you’ll also feel super slick!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing March 19, 2012, 10:28 pm

    I used to get up early JUST to have enough time to run 1 mile before school. Even if fitness wise it didn’t make much of a difference, it started my day off on the right foot.

  • Laura @ She Eats Well March 19, 2012, 11:40 pm

    Sometimes I don’t think shortie workouts are worth it. But hours later I realize, thank goodness I sweated it out for a bit.

  • Michelle March 19, 2012, 11:53 pm

    A workout is a workout…Even if it’s short, at the end of the day it’s a good feeling to know that you got your butt moving for a little bit.

  • Shannon March 20, 2012, 12:20 am

    I’m extra impressed with your swim workout because even though you were pressed for time, you swam. Which also entails the after-work of shower and getting all the chlorine off. Definitely time consuming…it would have been so easy to skip the entire workout.

  • Jess March 20, 2012, 1:54 am

    I used to think anything under an hour wasn’t worth it…Yeah that didn’t last. Now 30 minutes is my minumum. If I can’t do 30 min for any reason I will just try to get in more incidental exercise and then call it a rest day, working out on my actual rest day instead. As long as I do 5 days per week I am happy!

  • Coco March 20, 2012, 5:12 am

    It’s always worth it! 🙂

  • Kerry March 20, 2012, 5:33 am

    This post was so inspiring to me! And reading all the comments helped me realize that so many people think it’s always worth it! I am a full-time student with a full time job. I am definitely trying to encourage myself to use those 15-20 minutes in the mornings before I shower to go run a mile or two instead of drinking tea! But I know that tea has its merits too…

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin March 20, 2012, 7:36 am

    Yes! A workout is a workout, no matter how long or short it is! Nice job on squeezing in your swim. 🙂

  • Cindy March 20, 2012, 7:57 am

    I’m with always worth it. You feel accomplished for going through the act of working out when you could have skipped it, you get some endorphins going and it always seems to shake up your perspective and give some momentum to a sagging, lagging day. Awesome job!

  • Jodi @ Jodi, Fat or Not March 20, 2012, 8:58 am

    Yes! Always worth it. If nothing else to improve your mood and to feel like you at least did something with the time you had.

  • Anna March 20, 2012, 8:59 am

    Yes!! Any sort of movement throughout the day is worth it. I would think that shortie workouts would almost be more beneficial than an extended grueling workout. I’ll admit though, if I know I don’t have a lot of time, it is so easy to just skip the workout. I’m proud of you for getting in that pool though and busting out a swim!

  • Rachel @Balance and Blueberries March 20, 2012, 9:22 am

    I’m with you! Even if it’s “just” a walk, or some crunches right before bed, or a short run or swim, it’s totally worth it to put some activity in your day. If you really want it, you can always make the time!

  • Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life March 20, 2012, 10:19 am

    I think all workouts are worth it, even if it is just 10 minutes! The other day I did not have time to go to the gym or even go for a run but a quick walk around the block was just enough for me to feel like I was a total couch potato that day!

  • Amanda March 20, 2012, 10:35 am

    I think a workout is always worth it!!! Even if it doesn’t do much for me phyically, it mentally gets me away from making those excuses and being in the habit.

  • RebekahK March 20, 2012, 10:45 am

    I totally needed to see this post today. Lately I have been lazy and it has been easier and easier to blow off workouts because of bad nights at work. When I started over a year ago I would say, “just do 10 minutes it is better than nothing,” now I have been saying to myself “it is nothing.” Gotta shake this habit because sometimes 10 minutes is all you have.

  • Lauren March 20, 2012, 1:22 pm

    My workouts are always short- 15-30 min so to me, yes! Anything is worth it!

  • Cindy Robinson March 20, 2012, 1:32 pm

    Absolutely, I think short workouts are worth it. Loved the irony of your old mentality…if it wasn’t balls to the wall, then it’s not worth it.

  • MigraineMe March 20, 2012, 2:00 pm

    Definitely worth it, even if it is for nothing more than the mental break and the justification for eating a chocolate chip cookie later in the day!

  • Amber K March 20, 2012, 2:08 pm

    Definitely worth the effort! Even if it’s 10 minutes at a time, it’s worth getting up and out there!

  • rushfit March 20, 2012, 2:23 pm

    It does not matter if the workout is 5 mins or 50 mins. It is always worth it.

  • becca @ bellebottoms March 20, 2012, 3:46 pm

    i think workouts are ALWAYS worth it! no matter what the time frame…it’s just so good to get your body moving!

  • Heather March 20, 2012, 9:41 pm

    really interesting topic!! lately i’ve been needing to remind myself that strength workouts are always ‘worth it’. lately when i’ve been doing them i haven’t had much time; only getting a few moves in. butttt i know that even those few moves help to prevent injury !! (i’m training for my first marathon)

  • Charise March 21, 2012, 9:24 am

    I’ve definitely gotten into the “anything is better than nothing” mindset the last year or so. I’ve learned it’s more about keeping myself in the habit of working out, even if it’s not as long or as hard some days – if I skip entirely, I’m more likely to skip the next one, too.

    Plus, I am a dirtball and if I don’t get really sweaty/am just staying at home afterward, I don’t always shower. Or maybe just a quick rinse off (I don’t wash my hair every day as it is, so that helps lower the time commitment).

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