I have a get-fit routine. Early on, a response to my efforts and progress changed how I looked at what I was doing. I was excited! I wanted everyone around me to be aware of the progress I was making. Statistics, time, and calories burned were all part of my information package. As I look back, I can see one factor made me different from anyone else, time. I was willing and able to push the normal 30 minutes to 45 to 60 and occasionally to 120.
As I rattled off my accomplishments for the week, a friend involved in my training process listened impassively. When I finished, he simply said, “If you want to progress you are going to have to push yourself.”
“What do you mean? I am pushing myself.”
“Working hard is not the same as pushing yourself. You need to push yourself first, working hard will follow.”
I look back and realize that some observations contain more truth than the hearer is able to hear. I felt like I was a character in a psalm presented on stage. If I was the guy playing the role of follower, I n response to my efforts to take all the right steps, I know I would be whinging. My words could easily echo the writer’s observation; “When I poured myself out in prayer and fasting, all it got me was more contempt.” (Psalm 69.10)
It is interesting to see how things changed. My focus in training shifted from numbers to intensity. My goals changed from big stats to how much of myself I left on the table. My goal is to give everything I can in a session. Whatever the numbers are, the numbers are. The measure what I did but not why and how I did it.
I do not expect anyone to congratulate me. If they notice good things, fine. My goal is to do what I need to do to help myself be healthy. This will mean different things over time with two keys each time I train – commitment and intensity.
