Fit for Life: Choose Pain

Fit for Life: Choose Pain

“Pain initiates transformation” & “Pain is temporary” are two lines I make my high school football team repeat back to me as I put them through the paces during our weekly workouts.

 

I always start my workouts with a huddle and tell them what to expect. I tell them that they must endure some pain and suffering for the next hour or so to grow and get stronger and faster.  

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

I also explain that life will be an ongoing event that takes us through painful situations, both physically and mentally. When we learn to accept and embrace pain, it forges us into stronger human beings.

 

It builds our character, makes us resilient, and allows us to function through challenging circumstances.

 

I’ve been training in pain for the past few weeks. My right knee has been killing me and making it tough to get through my workouts. Therefore, I need to dig deep every day and either stop, rest, and avoid the pain or make some modifications, be cautious, and work through the pain.

 

What is my choice? Yup, I find a way to work around the pain when I can and endure and embrace it when I can’t. My mentality is to either suffer through the pain while working out or suffer the consequences of not working out.

 

I choose to suck it up, and embrace the pain, not because I think I am some “tough guy,” but because I know that if I stop working out, I will lose some of the strength and endurance I have been working so hard for.

I would instead make slower gains than completely lose what I have and start over.

 

Don’t get me wrong, if I had a broken leg or I was in excruciating pain, I would exercise the little common sense I have and see a doctor to get it fixed, but that is not the case here. I hurt, but I’m not entirely broken.

 

Now, don’t think that Coach Matt is some crazy, sadistic person who loves to go through pain and voluntarily puts himself in painful situations for fun.

 

It’s actually quite the opposite. I hate pain, yet I choose to incorporate it in my life to help me grow and get stronger. Sometimes, choosing pain will help better us and put us in a more favorable situation.

 

Let me explain and give you some examples of situations where chasing pain will benefit you, too.

 

The most obvious would be working out and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Workouts should be challenging, and getting in shape is sometimes painful. You make your body shake and exert itself under resistance.

 

You elevate your heart to an uncomfortable state. You get sore after doing squats and lunges. The pain is inevitable, yet the reward is better health, higher self-confidence, and a body you are proud of.

 

The pain of discipline hurts less than the pain of regret. When you exercise discipline, it is painful; however, when you fold and give into temptation, you live with the guilt that will carry on.

 

A great example is your nutrition. You are at dinner, and dessert is an option.

You have fitness goals and know the dessert will throw you off track. You watch others enjoying themselves by stuffing cake in their faces, yet you hold your ground.

 

As painful as this is, you prevail and wake the next day proud of yourself and feeling great. You get up, have a healthy breakfast, and continue on your path to fitness success.

 

If you folded and ate the dessert, you would kick yourself the entire day. One moment of delight would cause hours, if not days, of regret. Hence, the pain of discipline hurts less than the pain of regret.

 

Choose that difficult conversation. When conflict with a spouse, friend, or coworker has you so stressed that you develop anxiety around them, it’s time to talk and get all the cards on the table.

 

Yes, conflict and adversity are complex, but letting it fester inside you day in and day out will kill you slowly.

I have been labeled as direct, rigid, and confrontational at times. Still, when I have a problem with someone, I try to solve it as quickly as possible because letting it go creates more pressure over a more extended period.

 

Fix the problem and have the painful conversation now. When the conversation is over, you will experience a feeling of relief and fulfillment; if you don’t, expect more stress and anxiety in your life!!

 

Understand that life is not sunshine and rainbows. Never was and never will be, and this is the reason why we need to embrace painful situations and attack adversity head-on.

 

We will only get stronger and experience growth through life's tough stuff.

Whether we choose to or not, we will constantly be exposed to pain and suffering.

 

Therefore, my advice is to choose pain now before it chooses you later!!

 

Coach Matt