Benefits of Being Challenged

You know, I always have to laugh when I hear my clients say :

“Can I switch to lighter weights?”

I usually respond with a very polite “no.” This response isn’t because I enjoy telling them no, it’s because I know they can lift that heavy weight. Additionally, sometimes I can see they are even ready for a heavier weight. I notice that most of the time this question comes up in the moment when:

It feels really hard !!!!

However, after they hear me say no, and they push past the hard moment, they usually feel great that they soldiered on. They realize that sticking to the heavier weight meant they got stronger both physically and mentally during the process.

It's very common to ask if you can make an exercise easier. One thing you can do is to TRY to work through the challenge first---then back off if you need.

Finding the balance between pushing through something you think is difficult in the moment (which it’s supposed to be sometimes) and pushing too hard to the point of injury is critical.

It’s important to know when to push past your comfort zone and never beyond your limits.

Often we can push ourselves a bit harder than we think we can and when we actually keep going and get to the other side-- that’s when incredible transformations can occur such as: feeling stronger, more capable, more confident. These are the moments I love to see.

Knowing when to push yourself and when not to is a bit of an art. When you master it, you will be listening to what your body is telling you and responding in the appropriate way. This is one of the most important things to learn when it comes to physical change.

When you are able to strike that balance, you will be well on your way to achieving your goals.