During my long and winding journey to the new me, I’ve discovered that you not only become physically stronger, but you also become mentally stronger. As a matter of fact, you have to become mentally stronger before you can become physically stronger. If the mind is weak, it simply won’t let you reach your goals.
Most of the journey is one about choices. You have to decide what to eat everyday. You have to decide to push play, or to put on your running shoes and hit the pavement. It’s all about choice.
Everyday when you wake up, you have to face a whole day of choices. Should I eat the Poptart that is taunting me from the cabinet or have a Shakeology and start my day off right? I have an hour to spare. Should I do my workout now or watch TV, tweet or see what’s new on Facebook? All of these choices add up and in the beginning they are not easy to make. As time goes by and you fall into a groove they become easier, especially as you see results.
Every now and then, something will trip you up. In my case, it was Insanity month 2…..the Max workouts. For all of month 1 and even before I started doing Insanity, all I ever heard was how hard the Max workouts were. I had never even popped a Max workout DVD in to check it out and I was scared. I would listen to others talk about it and psych myself out before I even knew what Shaun T was going to ask of me.
Monday started month 2 of Insanity, and I faced my 1st Max workout late in the afternoon, after work. All day I read about my #insanecrew’s experience with Max Interval Circuit and how hard it was. I of course became nervous and already had it set in my head that I wouldn’t be able to finish this workout….I mean who can stand a 64min Insanity workout?!
As I stood there in my living room, nervous, the workout began and I was thrust into a new warm-up and whole new routine……man was it hard! I barely made it through some of the moves and I skipped over or modified a few but I finished. I quickly grabbed my iPod and tweeted a big FUCK YOU to Shaun T. That workout left me feeling broken. My confidence was shot, I was mad and my poor performance left me feeling disappointed in myself. I was stronger than that, wasn’t I?
I went into Day 2, Max Interval Plyo, with the same feelings. I was nervous but thankful that this workout would be shorter than the previous one. As I was doing the warm-up I felt more confident because I knew what to expect. I also reminded myself that I could do this….and if I couldn’t, I would do my absolute best and forget the rest. The workout wasn’t pretty, but I made it through and rewarded myself with a nice, cold, yummy, Results and Recovery Drink!
Today was Day 3 and I had to Dig Deep! I promised myself before leaving for work that I would not procrastinate. I would go home and start my workout right away. I would not worry about it, I would not look at the screen and say “I can’t do THAT!”, I would simply go with the flow and push myself to a new, greater level. Max Cardio Conditioning was my redemption workout! I pressed play, I dug deep and I felt great when it was over. I didn’t skip or modify anything. I kept a good pace and I kept telling myself throughout the workout “You can do this!” Don’t get me wrong, I took my breaks, but I jumped back in and finished everything out.
If there is one thing I have learned over the past year, it’s that most of the battle is mind over matter. When it comes to a program like Insanity, your mental strength will truly be tested. I believe that Insanity is 90% mental strength. You build a new confidence in yourself and realize what amazing things your body is capable of. As a side effect or reward, you gain increased cardiovascular strength, muscle tone and if you’re lucky, a nice set of abs.
I know the next few weeks are going to be a challenge, but it’s a challenge I’m up for and actually looking forward to. I’m an amazing person, capable of amazing things and Shaun T is going to show me just how strong I can be…both mentally and physically.
Once again, I fell off the blogosphere…and I’m sorry.
