I haven’t missed a daily workout in over a decade. This conversation with my coach highlights one of the factors that has helped me sustain this practice.
Me:
Some days I just need a break from heavy lifting.
My coach:
Take out the word ‘heavy’ from that sentence.
Not every day can be a heavy lifting day. Or even a lifting day at all.
Heavy Isn’t Just About the Physical Weight
By “heavy” I’m not just referring to physical weights. Sometimes the cognitive load or emotional load of a workout — or other work — can be “heavy.”
When a task feels too “heavy” for too long, it’s time for a break.
Sometimes you just need to do something fun to lighten the load.
Not every workout needs to be a hardcore push. Nor should it be. In fact, that’s a recipe for injury and burnout.
It’s important to take a break from “heavy lifting” — whether literal or metaphorical.
Sometimes it’s just about showing up and keeping yourself moving for a period of time.
Maybe it’s about learning a new skill, practicing a new technique, or trying a completely new activity.
Rest for the Body and the Mind
Light days aren’t just about allowing the body to recover; they are also about allowing the mind to rest.
It’s unhealthy to be “on” all the time. We need days where we allow the mind to wander, where we lose track of time, where we can focus on things other than work or results.
The secret to sustainability is to inject days that feel light and fun.
Not every day can be — or needs to be — a heavy lifting day. Or even a lifting day at all.
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