If there is one thing that lifting weights up and down, side to side, back and forth in multiple planes and ranges of motion for the past 20+ years has taught me, it’s how to truly become more in tune with one’s body. Creating the famous “mind to muscle connection” that so many fitness gurus preach about is far more complex than an Iron Virgin or a Gym Newbie might think. It can take years of trial and error to establish a true mind-to-muscle connection that enables a person to build solid lean muscle tissue without tearing a muscle, straining a ligament, pulling a tendon or dislocating a joint.
Make no mistake, injuries and setbacks can and do happen even to the most experienced of lifters. However, I’ve always believed that if we can learn how to tap into our bodies, and truly listen to what they are telling us, we can avoid setbacks in the gym and progress further with both our physiques and our health.
How?
Most of us can differentiate when we really don’t want to do something verse when we really can’t do something. For example, if you’re tired from a long day of work and now have to go to the gym, this might be something you don’t want to do. But the reality is that you can do it. At the same time if you’re tired from a long day of work and dealing with a serious injury that prevents you from exercising, then the reality is that you really can’t do it.
Some people (including myself) will occasionally try and force their bodies to do things that they really should not be doing in the gym due to their stubbornness and pride. These are the people that usually either injure themselves, burn out, and/or eventually suffer from severe chronic fatigue. These are the people who tend to ignore their bodies when their bodies are screaming at them for a day off.
And then other people who will talk themselves out of going to the gym because they are either too tired or too lazy to go and do something healthy for themselves. These people also have difficulty listening to their bodies as they prefer to listen to their emotions and give into life’s little short-term gratifications from time to time.
Neither type of person is better than the other. Neither type of person is listening to his or her body. And neither type of person is going to achieve long-term, lasting results.
Excuses vs Reasons
After working as a Trainer/Coach in the Fitness Industry for over two decades now, I’ve heard just about every excuse as to why someone can’t workout. From “forgetting” one’s shorts, to “finding no parking” to the gym being “too cold”, I’ve heard it all. Of course “too busy” and “too tired” are still the most popular used excuses that I hear on a regularly. So when it comes to excuses, trust me when I tell you, that NOTHING shocks me anymore.
Reasons on the other hand are a completely different story. There are times when people do have valid reasons as to why they cannot go to the gym and workout. Whether they are recovering from surgery, at home with the flu, grieving over the loss of a loved one, or perhaps stuck without a sitter and have to take care of their children, sometimes shit just comes up.
Regardless if you’re making an excuse or have a valid reason as to why you cannot go to the gym, I think it’s important to not lose track of your health and fitness goals. And I think it’s even more important to listen more carefully to what your body is telling you, especially when you might not be thinking clearly.
So What’s It Going To Be?
Is your body truly asking you for a day off from exercise or is your body begging you to get off your ass and go take care of it? This is something that only you can answer.
Is your body truly tired or are you just being lazy? Again this is something that only you can answer.
At the end of the day, this is your body and your life. You are responsible for your actions and your decisions, and therefore you are responsible for your results.
Just keep in mind that those results will only happen if you are listening to your body.
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance