Mind over matter

One of the toughest parts about working out and getting in shape has nothing to do with barbells or dumbbells, push-ups or sit-ups, crunches or planks, burpees or lunges.

Nope, arguably the toughest part about working out is simply showing up.

Right this very second, for example, it’s just after 1:30 in the afternoon, and work is kicking my butt today. It started out stressful at 8 a.m. and it hasn’t gotten any better.

I’ve got pole vaulting practice tonight at 6, and already those little voices inside my head are trying to talk me out of it. Telling me how tired I am. How I don’t feel like working out today. How nice it would be just to go on home, kick off my shoes, and vegetate on the couch.

Wouldn’t it be niiiiiice …

I’m learning, however, not to give in to those little voices. I don’t know what they are or where they come from, but I do know that a heckuva lot of people have them.

The problem is too many people – including me – give in to those little negative voices. I don’t understand it, but there is something inside me, some strange, maybe evil, something in there that apparently wants to destroy me. Or at least, keep me down.

And when it comes to something like working out, going to the gym, or working out at home, giving in to those little voices one day makes it all too easy to give in again the next day, then the next, and then the next. Pretty soon, you haven’t hit a lick in weeks, maybe months.

Ya gotta push through it.

Most of the time, even when you think you’re too tired to get your workout in, once you get started and the ol’ blood starts pumping, you’ll forget all about being too tired. And when you finish, I can almost guarantee you’ll be proud of yourself and glad you got it done.