Don’t push yourself! (guest post)

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Push past your limits. Don’t quit. You can do more than you think you can. When you want to stop, that’s when you work harder. Keep going no matter what. Do more than you did yesterday.

Pretty common mantras floating around the fitness world, eh?

You can’t go on Pinterest, browse through Instagram, or follow a fitness associated Twitter account without seeing things like this on a daily basis.

For most people these things are encouraging…even motivational! For me though, I’ve come to realize the importance of NOT pushing myself.

Let me fill you in on my typical workout routine nowadays. It’s boring, it’s routine, it’s structured. Well that doesn’t sound too fun, right? But for me, it’s perfect.

As someone who has struggled with having a healthy relationship with exercise and who has overdone it in the past, I have realized that setting parameters for myself, sticking to a consistent routine, and NOT making myself go harder than the day before is what’s best for me.

comparison

Too often in the past I would fall into the comparison trap. With others, but even worse, with myself. Each workout had to challenge me in news ways, be harder or a little longer than the day before, make me sore in areas I didn’t even know were possible. Not a way a too live. But hey, I thought that my self worth was based on my pace during a run, being able to edge out an extra tenth of a mile, holding a plank for a few extra seconds, or pushing through the mental anguish of another cardio workout.

But not anymore. Nope. I am far removed from that toxic state of mind. Now I know that LIMITING myself is actually what is best.

setboundaries

So unlike most fitness folks, I don’t go into each workout hoping to PR or reach a new level of intensity. Instead, I challenge myself by sticking to the healthy boundaries I’ve set for myself. Some of these include, not running double digits multiple times during the week, no longer doing an hour of cardio on machines at the gym, focusing more on strength training, and making sure I get in a yoga practice at least once a week.

So sure, my fitness regiment is pretty much the same week to week. Meaning I know what I do on certain days and how much time I’ll dedicate to working out. But ya know what? That’s okay. Sometimes it’s more rewarding to not constantly be pushing yourself. Of course I still like to physically challenge myself during workouts…I love those endorphins! But I get an even greater high on the days when I am able to successfully combat the voices in my head telling me to go a little longer, go a little harder, or that I am not doing as much as so-and-so.dontpushyourself

When I get through a workout and don’t go overboard…that’s a win. And that’s more rewarding than any PR or ‘new level’ I could reach. I am about reaching my next, my best level of health. Staying happy physically and mentally is all apart of that.

So here’s to resting when you need.

Taking a break when you feel like it.

Going easy and cutting yourself some slack.

To realizing when something isn’t serving you.

To being okay with ‘quitting’ (it’s not the end of the world if you decide you’re not feeling a workout today!). To comparing yourself to no one…including who you were yesterday. And to living for more than physical measurements of success.

I’d love to chat with you all more on this topic! Stop by my blog or reach out to me on any of my social media to get in touch!

Big thanks to Carla for this guest posting opportunity.

Kaila

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Comments

  1. I like this idea – I’m certainly feeling this way as I’m navigating the world of pregnancy fitness. I wasn’t an intense exerciser pre-pregnancy, so I need to stick true to myself for the next 9 months!

  4. It really helps me to remind myself to talk in my head like I would to a friend.
    I’m almost there.

  5. I love this post and agree that for many people the best thing they could do relax more and remove the constant drive to PR or best themselves. While working to improve is a great goal, we should focus on overall health, which can’t be measured by physical badassery.

    After trying multiple protocols, both nutritional and fitness related, behaviors that keep fitness activity at manageable levels and eating a balanced diet at TDEE, work best for me.

  7. I wrote about this concept really early on in my blog, because, in the past I found myself almost addicted to pushing past my limits and underlying my efforts was insecurity and a desire to prove myself. Recognizing and accepting limits can often be a lot more difficult for some people. The tough stuff for us is seeing ourselves as human beings with weaknesses – many of which just need to be respected!

  9. Awesome post. Sticking with a routine has really helped me not “overdo” exercise. What I struggle with now is allowing myself to change my routine. Unfortunately, if I don’t feel like running one day, I still have a hard time not doing it if it’s “running day” or if I don’t get my 3 running sessions in a week, I still get a lot of anxiety – how do you deal with that? I have a hard time not trying to “make up” for it by eating less or exercising in some other way. Do you do this with food, too? A routine? I’ve found that having a set amount of calories/types of food at each meal really helps with my anxiety. But, similar to the exercise scenario, I totally freak out if I get pushed out of my routine (go out to eat with coworkers) and have a hard time not trying to exercise more or restrict throughout the day. 🙁 Any advice you might have or what has helped you when this happens would be great! Thanks. 🙂

    • I definitely struggle with breaking my routine too! It’s all a learning process though and I think when you allow yourself to challenge those thoughts on a more regular basis it all gets easier. It’s just about creating new pathways for your thinking instead of getting stuck in the same rigid routines.

  10. I push myself when I want to podium and I am used to that, but know when to back off too…at 61, I really can’t push myself any longer- wait…I pushed my mileage in the pool today. Got in 2300 meters. So I lie. I like pushing. I like winning…

  11. I can’t believe how needed this post was. I am so tired. I have tried everything to get to a goal weight. I lost weight, but never to that magic number. I had a physical. I’m fine. I Spent a fortune last year with a trainer. I am stronger, but I never lost weight. Now I’m trying to workout before my long days of two jobs and it’s not working. I need to give myself a break.
    Thank you

  12. I am like you – I challenge myself but don’t go crazy… actually as much as people think I might have done this, I never really did – I consider what I did when I was younger as challenging myself but I was always mindful of not wanting to injure myself. GREAT post!

  13. What a refreshing post to read this morning! It’s so true how we are bombarded with push push push on all social media channels. I actually don’t “like” or buy into it anymore, because I do what works for me. I don’t need to feel like I’m throwing up at the end of each workout. I like when I feel good inside and out, whether it is just a slow stroll with the puppy or a easy job to clear my mind. When you go 110% ALL THE TIME, it leads to burnout, stress, exhaustion, and frankly you feel like poop.

  14. Excellent read!
    People are always pushing the “go hard or go home” mantra and I have seen so many clients injure themselves by doing the full monty after not having practiced exercise in years. Every individual is different. You must be careful not to exceed your own limits! Thanks for the reminder, will share!

  15. An instructive post. People to really know who they want to reach and why or else, they’ll have no way to know what they’re trying to achieve. People need to hear this and have it drilled in their brains..
    I love your new direction. The topics resonate with me, and along with improving my health, I hope to move into alignment so I can brightly shine my message. I find your site inspirational and will continue to follow along for tips to improve my life
    Thanks for sharing this great article.

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