Everyone knows that exercise is an important key to maintaining physical and mental health, but it seems like there is always something in the way of a trip to the gym. Excuses come in many shapes and forms, and I decided to compile a list of some of my most common - and most pitiful - excuses for skipping gym time.

1) My dogs will be lonely.

I just feel so bad leaving them. They should have a dog-friendly gym.

2) I just washed my hair.

It's clean right now, but it'll get sweaty at the gym. I don't want to wash my hair TOO much.

3) I have something to do later today.

Going to the gym will make my day a little more hectic, and I'll have to take the time to actually shower afterward.

4) I ate too much for breakfast. And Lunch.

It's really a sad excuse, but I forgot to eat healthier today.

5) My makeup looks too good today.

I typically don't like to work out with makeup on, But sadly, my makeup is already on today.

6) I haven't been to the gym in a while. I don't want weird looks when I walk in.

Don't judge me.

7) I haven't slept-in in a while.

Or, "I haven't napped in a while."

8) I'd rather go shopping.

Because it involves walking, right?

As sad as the excuses are, I am somehow able to use them to convince myself to skip gym time. Fortunately, listing them all out has made me realize that through better planning, my excuses would no longer apply. I realized that the more excuses I make, the lazier I get, and the harder it will be to go back to exercising.

Basically the best thing for me to do is to think about how beneficial the exercise really is for me. It then helps me to see how silly and minuscule my list of excuses is - they're really only setting me back!