Daily Mystic Messages - Maxing Out, Insanity Part 1
I can't say that I love working out. But I do like the way it makes me feel and I know it's important, so when I do it, I want to get as much done as possible in the time allotted.
That’s probably why I was attracted to Beach Body’s Insanity Max 30 with Shaun T. These are 30-minute high intensity workouts. And when I say high intensity, I mean it.
Shaun T is awesome, and fun, and if you’re going to do something as crazy as Insanity, you want a Shaun T in your corner.
But this message isn’t about Shaun. It’s about the workout.
See, how it works is you go full tilt until you can’t. When you tap out your first time, you write your time down in a sheet of paper,
Simple enough, right?
Well, in actual practice, it looks a little different.
You’re going. You're working hard. The music is playing. Shaun this yelling… er…encouraging you to go just a little further.
And suddenly, what should be a simple decision- can I go a little further, or do I need to stop- become…complicated…
Do I need to stop, or am I just uncomfortable?
What if I just ratchet it back and mark some time rather than stopping all together? Does that count?
What if I switch to the modifications?
What will it cost me if I push past my limit? I’ve injured myself enough times to know that there will likely be a cost?
All these are actual thoughts floating through my mind as the music is pumping, my heart is racing, my body is sweating, and Shaun T is yelling…er…encouraging me to go just a little further.
It’s not so different in our lives.
In theory it seems so simple. Do your best.
But when things are flying at you left and right. Demands are being made on you. People are counting on you. You don’t want to let them down. You don’t want to let yourself down.
And it just keeps coming. Even if you’re exhausted or overwhelmed. No matter if you’re stressed or struggling.
Can you go just a little bit further? Or do you need to take a break and reset yourself?
I wish I could give you the all-time right answer. But the simple truth is that it doesn’t exist.
It doesn’t exist because this is a moment to moment decision. And you have to choose what’s right for you…in that moment!
And as you make these decisions for yourself, here’s something that might help to make it a little more clear.
If your tendency is to stop short, not laying it all on the line, see if you can go just a little bit further.
If you’re the person who usually pushed yourself beyond the brink and into the realm of injury, depletion, burnout and what have you, try stopping a little short. Give yourself some space.
In Self Love, we’re building a different set of muscles. Many times that feels awkward and unfamiliar, just like some of Shaun act’s moves.
But the better we get at really knowing where we’re at and what we need, the more resilient we become day by day.
And personal resilience is truly a game changer.