Taking a Break From Exercise? Please Don't Feel Guilty About It

I talk a LOT about consistency.

Moving regularly. Keeping our muscles strong. Looking after our mobility. Making exercise part of our lives rather than something we dip in and out of.

But do you know what else I think is really important?

Having a break.

Yep. A fitness instructor just told you to take some time off. 😂

Especially at this time of year, routines change.

We go on holiday. Family comes to stay. It's ridiculously hot. We're out for the day. Or sometimes we simply think…

“Do you know what? I really can't be bothered today.”

And that's OK.

A break doesn't undo everything you've done

I think there's a real fear that if we stop exercising for a week or two, everything we've worked for will suddenly disappear.

It won't.

If you've been exercising consistently, your body isn't going to forget everything because you've spent a week lying by a pool instead of doing squats!

In fact, sometimes a proper break is exactly what we need.

Our bodies need recovery. Our minds need a break from routine too. And if you've been pushing yourself, you might come back feeling refreshed, energised and actually looking forward to exercising again.

Rest is not failing.

And you definitely don't need to “earn” it.

But there is a little distinction I'd make…

Taking a break doesn't have to mean stopping moving

There's a difference between having an intentional break from structured exercise and spending two weeks barely moving at all.

You don't have to do a workout for movement to count.

Walk along the beach.

Go for a swim.

Explore somewhere new on foot.

Have a stretch when you get up.

Play with the grandchildren.

Walk to the café instead of driving.

Stand on one leg while you're brushing your teeth.

Put some music on and have a dance around the kitchen.

It all counts.

And sometimes that kind of unstructured movement is exactly what our bodies need.

Beware of the “I'll start again…” trap

This is probably the bigger problem.

We take a week off.

Then another.

And suddenly we're saying:

“I'll start again on Monday.”

Or after the holiday.

Or when the children go back to school.

Or in September.

Or after Christmas. 😂

Before we know it, a planned little break has quietly turned into three months.

And the longer we stop doing something, the harder it can feel to start again.

That's why I prefer to think of movement as something that simply stays quietly ticking along in the background of life.

Some weeks you might exercise three or four times.

Other weeks you might manage a couple of walks and ten minutes of stretching.

Both are better than thinking it only counts if you've done a “proper workout”.

Little and often really does matter

Particularly as we get older, our bodies LOVE regular movement.

Our joints like being moved.

Our muscles like being reminded they're still needed.

Our balance needs practising.

And our mobility tends to respond much better to a little bit regularly than one enormous session once in a blue moon.

So if you're taking a break, perhaps instead of asking:

“Have I exercised today?”

try asking:

“What could I do for my body today?”

Maybe the answer is a walk.

Maybe it's ten minutes of stretching.

Maybe you fancy picking up some weights.

And maybe the answer genuinely is…

Nothing. I'm knackered and I'm sitting here with a cup of tea. 😂

That's OK too.

Consistency isn't the same as perfection

I think this is the bit we sometimes get wrong.

Being consistent doesn't mean following the same routine 365 days a year.

Life doesn't work like that.

Holidays happen. Busy weeks happen. Illness happens. Motivation disappears occasionally. Sometimes our bodies simply tell us they need a rest.

The goal isn't to be perfect.

It's to avoid that all-or-nothing mentality where missing a few workouts somehow means we've “fallen off the wagon” and need to start all over again.

You haven't.

Take your break.

Enjoy your holiday.

Rest if your body needs it.

But keep finding little opportunities to move when you can.

Because then, when life settles back down again, you don't need to start again.

You simply…

carry on. ❤️

Alison LaceyFitness & Pilates Teacher