During a workout recently I started to get tired during an exercise and as the uncomfortable feeling arose, I had an urge to stop. I thought to myself, I can do my usual 15 reps OR I can increase the weight and go harder. I knew I had it in me, but I’ve been in the habit of sticking to the same routine and not pushing myself as hard as I could. I’m never going to increase my strength if I continue to stop when I begin to feel discomfort. I won’t progress if I continue to follow the same workout routine every single day; the same exercises, the same reps and the same sets. In order for my muscles to grow I have to push past resistance and do things I haven’t done before. I have to be willing to be uncomfortable. This simple reminder and shift in my mindset allowed me to have one of the best workouts I’ve had in a while and do things I haven’t been able to do yet postpartum.
We grow internally a lot like our muscles do when pushed outside of our comfort zone, but we must be willing to go there. We must be willing to feel a little bit uncomfortable to do what we haven’t done before to elevate to a whole new level of expansion.
Quite the metaphor for my life right now. I don’t like feeling uncomfortable, as open and vulnerable as I am at times, I still hide in my little shell wanting to stay safe and feel protected. I still have a lot of fears that creep in and doubt my potential. Am I good enough? Am I worthy? Am I capable?
OF COURSE I AM. But I must be willing to push my ego aside and live more authentically, taking chances, being okay with the unknown and that uncomfortable place where true growth can occur.
So next time I feel that uncomfortable feeling arise as I am doing pull-ups I will do just one more or 5 more, until fail, because at least then I know I gave it my all.
Keep pushing, XO Stephanie
