Pushing Through

This morning, I didn’t want to go to the gym.

My body ached, and not the pleasant soreness that comes after a good workout, but that deep, heavy kind that settles in after weeks of pushing hard.  I’ve been training consistently for my first ever 10k race, and it’s taken more out of me than I expected.  The runs have been long, my recovery time shorter than I’d like, and sleep?  Let’s just say it hasn’t always been enough.

When I woke up, I felt it.  The exhaustion.  The ache.  The absolute lack of desire to train.  The gym felt like the last place I wanted to be.  I seriously considered skipping, convincing myself I “deserved” a break, that missing one session wouldn’t matter, that I could just push it to tomorrow.

But I went.

Not because I felt inspired or suddenly energised.  I didn’t get a wave of motivation or some inner Rocky Balboa moment.  I went because I’ve made a commitment to myself.  A promise that I’d show up, not just on the good days, but especially on the hard ones.

And here’s the thing.  Once I got there and started moving, everything changed.

Sure, the first few reps were slow.  The bench felt heavier than usual.  Deadlifts hurt.  But something shifted.  My body loosened up.  My mind cleared.  I remembered why I do this in the first place.  Not just for race day, but for me.  For my resilience, my discipline, and my health.

There is real power in showing up when you do not feel like it.  That is where the growth happens.  That is where your mindset shifts from relying on motivation, which comes and goes, to relying on consistency and commitment.  These are the things that carry you even on your worst days.

Even if you are not training for a race, even if you are not chasing a specific goal, taking the time to move your body, even just a little, can completely transform your day.

HERE IS MY MESSAGE TO YOU:

If you are reading this and struggling with drive, feeling tired, unmotivated, or like the gym is just too much today, go anyway.  Lace up your shoes.  Take that walk.  Do a short workout at home. Stretch. Move. Breathe.

You do not have to crush it every time.  You do not have to break records or lift your max.  But you do have to show up for yourself.

Because even the smallest act of movement can spark energy, lift your mood, and remind you just how capable you are, even on your off days.  The benefits of exercise go far beyond aesthetics.  It is about mental clarity, emotional strength, and building trust with yourself.

You will never regret moving forward, even slowly.  You will only regret standing still.

Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash