I will try to be as gentle as I can in how I say this, but it must be said.
I was teaching a 4pm class yesterday and something happened that inspires me and pushes me to write on it in hopes that it inspires you.
At the end of class there were three or four of us standing and talking after everyone else had left and one of the ladies there had been performing dead lifts (DL) with a 60 lb bar. I suggested, as I at times do, that she should be lifting heavier. Now, when I said this to her I by no means am telling her that she should go out and pick up 200 lbs, but I have seen her workout enough that I know she is stronger than that weight.
There were several bars laying around the gym floor and she proceeded to walk over to one and said, “so should I be doing this?” She then did a DL with that particular bar with ease. I asked how much the bar was and she said 70 lbs. Before I could answer, she stepped forward to another bar and said, “or maybe this one” and then proceeded to pick it up and performed the DL flawlessly.
It wasn’t until after she had performed the DL that she looked to see the weight of that particular bar, it was 110 lbs. She then proceeded to do a full set of 12 reps with it. After that, a mutual friend that was there talking with us asked her to come over to another bar and simply try one rep. She complied and again, did that rep flawlessly and with certain ease. Do not get me wrong, it was more difficult, but she was able to control it and complete the rep without any danger of hurting herself. Oh, how much did that bar weigh you ask? Try 135 lbs.
There are multiple factors of why she was lifting so light and was apprehensive of going heavier. That is a deep rabbit hole to go down when it comes to the psychological issues inside someone’s head and would deserve a write up completely dedicated to it.
Here is why I am addressing this today, STOP PLAYING IT SMALL. Stop holding yourself back because someone in your past told you that you were not strong enough, smart enough, tall enough. Stop worrying about being better than others in the room. You be you! If you are stronger, smarter, richer, poorer, taller, skinnier or any other adjectives you can come up with count yourself blessed. Do not be arrogant or prideful. Be thankful and continue to strive to get better.
You do no one any good playing it small. Your loved ones deserve the best you that you can be. So get after it and be #FitnessOneStrong.
At Fitness One we push you to be the best you that you can be. We are here to help build you up and help lift you up with a helping hand. Our staff and members alike want to see you succeed. We will push you out of your comfort zone to help you stretch those wings and fly. You can reach us several ways: message us on Facebook messenger, email us @ [email protected] , or text us at 336-655-4558.