Pushing Through and Pushing Yourself

If you exercise, you've no doubt had a moment when, inexplicably, you hit a wall (specially if you CrossFit). Your energy drains away, your heart rate shoots up even further and it feels like someone secretly strapped an additional 10-lb weights to your feet. At that moment, you have a choice: You can quit or you can push through that fatigue and finish your workout. Quitting may be the right choice, but, there are also good reasons to take on that challenge. It is in pushing your boundaries that you become stronger, both physically and mentally.



So, how do you keep going when your energy is waning? A little mental maneuvering can help you get through a tough workout.



Visualize and/or Write down goals like:

- I want to get stronger

- I want to lose weight

- I want to have more energy

- I want to feel good about myself

- I want to look good for an upcomming tropical holiday

- I want to look good for my wedding/high school reunion/future

You can even turn it into a mantra, repeating silently "I'm getting stronger" or "I'm losing weight" with each step forward. It may sound a little cheesy but, when you're in the moment, the right thought can be the difference between quitting and succeeding.

When ever you feel like stopping, remember those goals and why you're working out in the first place.



Visualize Success:

Athletes often use this trick to get through their training because it can improve performance and provides the boost they need to keep moving, even when they're tired. Use this trick yourself by picturing yourself finishing your workout. Imagine how you'll feel - satisfied, proud of yourself, confident and ready to face the rest of the day. And don't just picture yourself finishing the workout, imagine you're gliding through it effortlessly. Visualize your body operating in perfect sync - shoulders down, breathing relaxed and stride confident. Just the thought of your body operating like a well-oiled machine can change your posture and, perhaps, even your perception of how your body feels.



More often than not, the coaches at KING CF will tell athletes to slow down or go with a lower weight. We preach form over speed, again and again. As athletes get stronger, we may encourage / challenge you to use heavier weights or go a little faster. This is because, we know you are capable of doing so. Do not get too comfortable. Make sure to challenge yourselves. Do not concentrate solely on your time but also the equipment used. By challenging yourself, you eliminate chances of plateau on your performance.

So trust your coaches when we say "go up in weight" or "don't let go of the bar", we are merely telling you that you have made improvements and now stronger. YES, CrossFit is hard. But look at the progress you all have made. Time to step it up and get to the next level!!! Happy WODs!