This post seems completely contradictory to my usual message, but hear me out. I often tell my fitness classes to focus on where they are. I remind them to focus on the muscles they are working to get the greatest benefit. I encourage groups and individuals to leave it at the door and give it their all. I often tell them to NOT simply “mail it in”. I’m sure you have heard the same ol’, same ol’ stuff in your own experiences, whether it was a highschool football coach, spin instructor, personal trainer or even life coach or motivational speaker. Well, I’m here to say that sometimes it is actually okay to simply mail it in.
I know that sometimes just showing up for some events, whether it is an exercise session or not, can take just about all the effort a person might have on that day. On those days the actual showing up is the workout; it is the win; it is the accomplishment. On those days the fact that you are not setting a personal best record or killing it on the spin bike or cranking out your max number of push ups is actually okay. I’m here to say do not feel guilty. Do not worry. Sometimes it is just fine to show up and go through the motions and do what you can on that day.
Everyone has those days. Heck, sometimes they can be a couple of days, or even a week of knowing that at that particular time you just cannot dig that deep. You cannot go all out, no matter how encouraging or peppy or forceful you leader is. You have done the hard part of getting in the outfit, tying the shoes, mustering through traffic, or a work deadline or the clinging children, or whatever seems to help hinder your efforts, and have made it to your spot. Sometimes just that Herculean effort deserves a pat on the back.
I’m not sure what your monkey is on your particular day. Maybe you are taking care of your children and family while also caring for your older parents and it is taking you down. Maybe you are dealing with an illness in your inner circle. Perhaps you have been on a grieving journey. Or maybe you have a friend that is going through a crisis, a divorce or a personal issue that brings you down. We all have stuff. We all carry stuff with us everywhere we go.
Sometimes a good sweat session is just what we need to distract us and give us those feel good endorphins, but other times it might not work. Take permission to do what you can on those days. Mail it in and know that you have accomplished something. You are doing something to take care of yourself by just showing up – even if on this particular day you are not giving it your all. I know you can show up next time. I am confident you can dig deep on another day.
Sometimes we all need permission to mail it in.
I hope this helps you Enjoy Your Day!
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