Embrace the Suck

I can’t remember the first time I heard this phrase, but I’ve heard it several times since then. Embracing the suck is about the toughest moments of a workout when all you want to do is quit, but this is when you dig deep and give it all you got. You don’t stop ‘til it’s all over.

A few days ago someone I know mentioned that they had just begun the P90X program and it was so tough that they felt like puking. Now let me just say that I’ve never felt like up chucking during this or any other workout, but I’ve heard tales of it happening. This comment sparked a lot of inquiries, some good and some not so much. One person caught my attention saying that this workout looked too tough and if it brought on puking then they would rather stick to their regular fitness routine. Now I can’t say how challenged this person is during their exercise of choice. Everyone has a different level that they find difficult, but I know that there are many people out there who will not challenge themselves and this is a shame because the chances are you can probably do a whole lot more than you think you can. You should know your limits, but don’t sell yourself short.

This holds true in life as well as in exercise.

With regards to the latter … ok maybe not everybody is ready for the floor hugging, sweatfest that is Insanity or a heart thumping, t-shirt drenching Crossfit WOD, but wouldn’t it be fun to see if you could lift a weight that’s a bit heavier or do more reps in the alloted amount of time? We’ve all seen that person at the gym who walks slowly on the treadmill while reading a magazine or the one who holds a telephone conversation in between crunches? Now I’ll be the first to say that it’s important to just get moving, but I often wonder if that person will go home and brag about the time they spent at the gym when the truth is they never even really broke a sweat. How do you expect to improve at anything if you keep working beneath your limits?

Much like exercise, life has it’s fair share of “suck” moments. We’ve all had those days or those weeks (or maybe even those years) when we just want to crawl back into bed, when everything seems impossible. Don’t let those moments hold you back from reaching your goals. Keep dreaming big dreams and striving for what you want. Sure there are going to be times when you want to stop mid way through, but pull out those extra stores of resources and keep going. The only thing that is really holding you back is you!

A quote that I heard recently that has stuck with me is “If you are succeeding in everything you do, you are probably not pushing yourself hard enough”.

And I got a little secret for you … usually about the time that you need to dig a little deeper, you’re almost at the end. Embrace the suck, don’t be afraid of a little challenge. I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how well you do.