This statement is not one I believed in. Stiffness or some muscle soreness, sure, but actual pain not so much. You can make great gains while not being in constant agony. I do this regularly by adding yoga especially hot, long-held yoga to my routine.
Well, I am starting to reconsider that statement. I have 2 conditions that I am having surgery for that will cause me to rebuild. I felt like everything had been ripped from underneath me, as a wife, a mother, an athlete, and with my job too. Not able to do the things that I once did. I fought the anger and the sadness over this and, in the end, did me no good. I sat down and gave into it. It's not consuming me, but I gave in. I grieved the woman I was. I allowed myself to feel pain. Now I can rebuild. I am not that woman anymore. I have those values, but I am not looking back. I am only looking forward and gaining new drive. To not acknowledge the hurt or disappointment allows it to live there and then you can't move past it. Your life is what you want it to be. This is what I teach my girls. I am going to embrace that instead of letting any disappointment consume me. My lack of sight never stopped me so neither will this. 2014 will bring some of the most amazing things yet.
I have set goals, I will pull a truck, and I will be stronger than ever. Some people think this is funny when they meet me, but that's something that I want to do. Above all, I will compete, and that I am so very excited for. My first deadlift will bring me amazing joy. Mental toughness was always a bit of a struggle for me, so maybe I had to break a bit to build. I asked my husband what good could come of this and he said "we" are stronger. He has always had my back after 16 years I know that even more so. My oldest struggles seeing that you can do whatever you desire, maybe this will help. Things have to sometimes be hard before they get easy.
I am currently reading the Arnold Schwarzenegger book and it couldn't come at a better time. He defines drive, visualization and sometimes disappointment and defeat. But those things do cause you to rise up. And yes, it's ok to cry. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying the book and how much I am learning. I think I will pass it on to my husband when I am done. What you do with your pain will make you or break you. Recognize that which affects you, your life, your training. Allow it to strengthen you. Life's moments make us stronger. If you have a setback, get mad or sad, do what you need to do. But then move on allow it to bring you strength by rising above. We all can be our greatest weakness and our greatest strength. It's our choice. I had a round of pain, and now I am going to begin the road to gain strength, new goals and a better me.
I looked at it like this, when we make a muscle stronger, the fibers break down to become stronger. I am like a muscle, looking forward to the gains part.