I have to admit, the last few weeks have been a little bit hectic, depressing and somewhat stressful for me. It all started last month with the sudden loss of my long term client/friend who I had the pleasure of working with for many years. Obviously this tragic event has impacted me greatly as I’ve still found it difficult to sleep and have had trouble staying focused and concentrated on my own work.

Usually when I’m dealing with a personal issue I rely on my workouts to help cheer me up and centre me again. However the problem is that I’ve been skipping the vast majority of my training sessions and during the odd time that I do workout I know that I’m not giving it 100%, hell I’m not even giving it 50%. There have been many times in the last few weeks that I question why I even bother to train at all. I mean, I know I’m pretty healthy, my body fat levels are fairly low and I don’t feel too bad about my body image, so what’s the problem in taking a break?

Well, I guess nothing really except that I don’t really want to take a break. Not because I want a chiseled six pack or because I want a bigger chest but more so because lifting is my life. Sad right? Maybe. But let me explain to you as to why that is.

I’m a firm believer that working out is 90% mental and only 10% physical. I believe that if a person has a strong mentality then they can get through the most difficult of situations including an intense and enduring workout. Sure anyone can go to the gym and do a few exercises and maybe even break a sweat. However in my opinion only those who are strong mentally will be able to push their bodies past the point of failure and beyond the preset limitations that we are all guilty of putting on ourselves at times. And for myself personally, if I can’t train with the utmost dedication, then there really is no reason for me to bother to go to the gym and workout as I would just be pushing my body through the motions without using any intensity or having any integrity.

To many people a workout is just that, a workout. To them, the gym is a place to go and release some stress, perhaps be social and get in a little exercise. To me, a workout is never just a workout. The gym is the last place where I ever like to be social and I don’t view what I do as exercise, I view it as life changing. Ask anyone who has ever trained with me and they will tell you that I train as if I were insane. I lift ridiculously heavy weights, perform endless reps, take little if any rest between sets and have made myself sick on many occasions from pushing my body beyond it’s limitations and comfort zone.

So Why Do I Do This?

As I said above, lifting is my life. Therefore you can understand as to why I take it so seriously. The truth is, is that if I never found my passion for training and being  fit, my life would be completely different right now, and not for the better. I’ve never been one to practice moderation as I’m more of an all or nothing person. When I do anything I always make sure I do it with 100% effort. Whether that be training myself, teaching a class, designing a nutritional plan or even cleaning the house, I always give it my all. Any less is considered to be a failure and therefore pointless in my mind.

So even though right now I’m stuck in a proverbial rut with my training, I do know that I will climb my way out of it in due time. I will never be one of those people who quits the gym or stops working out completely. It’s not in my nature to just give up or give in to the demands and stresses that life can throw at us at times. Even though lifting is my life I have to be smart and listen to both my body and my mind. And both are telling me that right now is not my time to be in that gym killing those workouts. However as soon as I feel confident, fearless and energized again, I know that I’ll be right back in that gym lifting heavier and more intensely then ever before because I rely on my workouts to help get me through the challenges and problems that can occur in everyday life.

Remember, building your body and strengthening your mind is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you need a day off then take it. In my case, as long as I remember to strive for progress rather then strive for perfection, I think I’ll be okay.

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove