Pushing Yourself vs. Respecting Your Limits
Finding balance in fitness can be challenging. Whether you’re into weight training, yoga, running, or any other form of exercise, it can sometimes be hard to find that perfect balance between pushing yourself to improve while respecting your limits to avoid injury or burnout.
Lately, I’ve noticed this struggle in my own fitness routine, which made me realize that it’s likely something that many people deal with. If you’re curious about how you can find balance in your own fitness routine, keep reading!
Knowing When You’re Pushing Too Hard
We are limitless beings in many ways, but our physical bodies do have limits. Our bodies can break if we push too hard, and they change as we age. To keep our bodies healthy, we need to challenge ourselves in a way that honors where we’re at today. Finding balance in fitness is about knowing when to push and when to pull back.
I often find myself pushing too hard and letting my ego get in the way of what’s best for me, even though I consistently remind my students not to do this! If you’ve practiced yoga with me, you may have noticed that I frequently say things like, “Take this option if it’s right for you,” or “Honor where you’re at today.” I remind you that staying with the less challenging option is perfect if that’s what your body needs. Our egos often push us to choose the harder pose, even if it’s not serving us.
It’s crucial to soften your attachment to your ego and to listen to what your body truly needs. When we quiet the mind and listen, we usually know when we’re pushing beyond our limits. This awareness is key to finding balance in fitness.
This concept of finding balance in fitness applies to any form of exercise and we have to be ok with changing things when needed. I know this can be difficult sometimes but it’s important! In my own weight training routine, I follow a specific schedule, and I hate changing it. But, life happens—sometimes I get an injury or an old injury flares up and I have to adjust. And regardless of injuries, having a menstrual cycle can require changes to a workout routine!
I’ve had to learn to be more flexible and listen to my body, even when it means changing my routine. For example, if my neck flares up, I might skip upper body workouts for the week and opt for something gentler, like restorative yoga or walking. The key takeaway here is to find balance in fitness by finding ways to move that benefit you that day. If you need an extra rest day, take it. Ask yourself if the workout will do more good or harm. For instance, is it worth flaring up my neck to complete a shoulder workout? Probably not. This is especially true with injuries that are more acute, meaning they just happened or they just flared up, when things are chronic it can be a little different which we’ll talk more about later.
Being aware and willing to adjust your routine during a workout is also important for finding balance in fitness. If something doesn’t feel right, change it—maybe do fewer reps or do a different exercise. This is something I struggle with, especially because of my OCD. If I plan to do four sets and end up doing three, it drives me crazy. But I’m working on it. If I’m doing lunges and my hip starts to feel uncomfortable, I’m good at dropping the weight, but I struggle to stop if it still feels wrong. This is not good, don’t do this, I’m just sharing personal experiences here! I’m trying to get better at not letting my OCD or ego…get in the way of doing what’s best for my body. This is all part of my journey to find balance in fitness.
So, don’t be afraid to change your plan. Every workout doesn’t need to be intense; just moving your body is already benefiting you. This mindset is essential for finding balance in fitness.
When You Need to Push Yourself More
On the other end of the spectrum, some people need to push themselves more.
Chronic pain or injuries can make this challenging, but movement is often beneficial in these cases. I’m not suggesting that you jump into an intense workout, but slowly introducing movement can help. Sometimes, fear of movement holds people back more than the pain itself. If this resonates with you, I’ve written a blog on reducing the fear of movement with chronic pain, which you can find by clicking here! Understanding this fear and overcoming it is another aspect of finding balance in fitness.
If you don’t have chronic pain, but feel like you need to push yourself more, remember that building strength requires challenging your muscles. Try pushing yourself a little more to work toward your goals more efficiently.
For example, in weight training, if you can easily do 20 reps of bicep curls, consider increasing the weight and doing fewer reps. 8-15 reps is a good range for building muscle. If you’re doing cardio, maybe push yourself to go an extra minute. If you train two days a week, maybe try adding a third day, but remember not to overdo it—rest days are still essential. Again, finding balance in fitness is about knowing when to push harder and when to step back.
Understanding Your Body’s Signals
Start building a relationship with your body and its signals to understand how to work out best. This relationship is crucial for finding balance in fitness.
Notice how your body responds to different exercises. Over time, as you become more in tune with your physical sensations, you’ll be better equipped to tailor your workouts in a way that supports your overall well-being.
I hope this discussion helps you in finding balance in your fitness routine. Don’t be afraid to push yourself, but also don’t hesitate to decrease intensity when needed.
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