Define Your ‘Hard’

What does a ‘hard’ workout mean to you?

If I told you to run a mile would your jaw drop in disbelief that I would even suggest such a thing? What about doing 5 pushups? Does that sound like a challenge, or maybe you’re thinking, “piece of cake!" Or, what if I asked you to squat 10x with a barbell on your back that weighs 95lbs? Some of you would think i’ve actually lost my mind, other of you are thinking that’s baby weight, no problem!

You see, we all have a different definition of hard, and we should. No two bodies are the same, they have different daily life stressors, different ways that we use our bodies daily, different injuries or impingements, different fitness journeys & different needs…. you get my point, none of us are the same and that means what one of us defines as challenging or difficult could be super easy or even more challenging for the person next to us!

There is so much beauty in working out with other women, you can encourage each other, you can push each other, motivate each other & truly make some of the most uncomfortable, challenging workouts actually fun when you’re doing it with friends! However, it would be a lie if we all didn’t admit that no matter how positive the atmosphere, that feeling of comparison can creep in sometimes. This feeling isn’t anything to feel ashamed about because it’s absolutely normal, but it’s important to recognize it and then use it in a constructive way!

It’s a waste of precious energy to get caught up comparing ourselves because like I said earlier, we are all walking different paths. There will always be someone stronger, faster, more fit than you, someone who got way more sleep or recovered from their workout more optimally and honestly, that’s a good thing! We want to surround ourselves with people who are a step ahead so that we see there is another level, we can see that oh, maybe I can achieve that! Instead of putting off coming to a class because you’re afraid everyone is ahead of you or instead of getting wrapped up in your own thoughts of comparison and getting down on yourself because you aren’t that strong or you don’t have a certain skill, why not flip the script? Use it as a source of drive and motivation to see how you can push yourself one step further and then we can all celebrate our little wins together- even if they look different for each person.

Every day what our hard looks like can change, what was a breeze for us one week may feel extra challenging the next, so just remember to have grace with yourself! A few things that can negatively, or positively affect our hard:

-Quality/Quantity of sleep

-Nutrition

-How well we recover

-Mindset

-Our cycle (it’s scientifically proven that performance is lower when a woman is on her cycle)

-Stress levels

-Hormone Health

Next time you go into your workout, I encourage you to define your hard, because if you go in with the mindset that you will give your 110% to whatever is challenging for YOU, I promise you will have no choice but to improve, progress and impress the heck out of yourself.

Awaken Your Highest Self,

Katy