She hadn't eaten yet, she left a shoe in New Hampshire, ran into traffic on the way to the gym and arrived fifteen minutes late to her appointment. She even had to leave her adorable dog in the car, because there was no time to take him home. So she was hungry, tired, frustrated and guilty. (Ever feel like that?)
When she came in holding her socks in her hand, she was sure I was going to send her home.
It just so happens that she and I are the same shoe size, so we put her together, made her eat something for the first time that day and got down to business. I wasn't going to let her difficult day translate into more guilt over missing her workout and feeling fat after Christmas.
As we started Leg Pressing, it became clear that today was going to be a good one. I had to give her more weight than ever. Then she went to pull-ups and her average per set came up by two. Same with rows and step ups, where she attacked with perfect form a version we'd never even done before. She made it through an hour long workout in 45 minutes and she left smiling and feeling completely rejuvenated.
I'd never seen her look so happy and I've never been so proud of her strength and perseverance.
This makes me think about something. Moving into this new year, I know that some of you out there are starting with a BANG!
You're enthused and ready to just blow the lid off that holiday weight. You're coming in here with the best of intentions...
And by perhaps the second day, or week, your alarm will go off and you'll wanna hit the snooze, or you will forget your shoe and you will think "Well, I just don't want to work out today. I think I'll go home. It's too hard.". You'll be hungover, exhausted from the workday or running late for your favorite class or session.
When those moments hit, I want you to think about how you feel when you leave the gym.
Glowing from the new blood flushing your skin with nutrients, you walk out already feeling thinner or more buff than when you walked in. When you head to dinner, you're more inclined to feed your body things that will make this workout effective and hold on to this healthy feeling. Your synapses are firing better and your brain is getting more oxygen, so you'll be better prepared for the rest of your day or evening.
There are a hundred physiological reasons not to skip your workout on these days. But there's one really good emotional reason.
One workout can make a funky day an awesome day in less than hour.
What more can you ask for?
- Holly Hurley
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