Hello ,
If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you know we talk a lot about recovery and giving yourself grace when you need to rest in between workouts.
It’s not that we don’t want you to do hard things, we just want to remind you that in between the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes taking it easy is better for your mental and physical health.
For me, this usually shows up in the form of Strength Club or taking a class with Taja at KG Strong in Philadelphia. Either way, I’ve found that pushing myself in a strength workout is always a reminder that I can do hard things.
Now, let’s be clear - leaving a workout drenched in sweat or feeling like you can’t move the next day isn’t always a good sign. In fact, depending on the goal of the class, it can be a sign that you’ve pushed too hard and may need an even longer recovery.
When it comes to pushing yourself in a workout, here are a few tips:
- If getting stronger is your goal, you have to use weights that challenge your muscles. For most of us, that’s starting with 10lb or 15lb dumbbells to learn the exercises and gradually progressing to heavier dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells over time.
- If your goal is to become a faster runner, you have to push yourself to run faster. That means doing a speed workout once per week and training the rest of your runs at an easier pace.
- If you want to become a better walker, you have to lace up your sneakers and get out there a few times each week. Instead of walking the same route everyday, try incorporating hills, steps and longer distances.
Doing hard things means that you’re okay with mild, temporary discomfort (NOT PAIN) in order to get better at your preferred activity. However, it also means you recognize that pushing yourself is only half the challenge - you also need to eat, sleep, train smart and take rest days.
, can you recall the last time you felt proud to push yourself? Maybe you increased weights recently or ran your first 5K? Or maybe there's something non-fitness related?
Either way, give yourself time to reflect and celebrate your hard work. As always, we are here to celebrate with you and cheer you on.
