I’ve been out of sync the last couple of times at the gym. Today I was filled with self doubt.
I looked in the mirror and saw everything wrong with me from the back boobs to my dry legs.
I think I even said to myself, “You are 50! What the hell are you doing!?!”
Nonetheless, I add 125 to the bar and decided to go for a personal best today.
You guys, not every day is going to be your friend. And not every thought is going to be pleasant. But you have to just keep showing up!
#strongnotskinny
Without going into much history, I’ll say that there was a dark period in my life, much like you’ve probably been through as well.
Mine was a nasty divorce. Friends chose sides, and the losses were tough. I became angry and bitter. I felt hopeless. And I was seriously depressed.
One day during my storm, I started going to the gym. And over time I noticed my depression lessened. My confidence resurfaced. And a new me evolved.
While learning to do squats with weights I never thought I could lift, I was also learning to push through my heals and dig down deep into my gut to overcome my anger, bitterness and hurts. It’s become the one thing I could always control when the world around me was spiraling out of control: My potential.
I control whether or not I can get through one more rep or not. And the feeling when I do it is nothing less than miraculous.
So eventually I got off the express lane headed to Victimville and changed my course.
The past couple of weeks I’ve had a chance to reflect on where I was and where I am now.
And where I am now is happy and at peace! But my friends, I do have to work for it – mentally and physically – every single day.
Sure I go through times where I convince myself not to go to the gym that day. And you bet, sometimes that one day turns into five or ten.
My friends, I pay for it! My thinking isn’t as sharp. My spirits are a little more downtrodden. And I feel like I am losing rather than gaining.
You see, doing something, (anything) even if it’s just 20-30 minutes is better than doing nothing.
When I commit to my workouts, I know I am moving forward instead of taking steps backwards.
So the principles of lifting have helped me lift weights off my shoulders that are not seen with the eye.
I push though my heels.
I dig down deep into my gut.
And I move forward not backwards.
It’s helped me to forgive, move past, let go and understand others and their struggles a little better. What’s more, it’s helped me smile and shine (again).
Little did I know that fitness saves the soul! And it’s saved mine.
I hope you can also get off the express lane to dismal distress to let it save you.
