When I was going through a very painful time in my life I had to dig deep to find the inner resource necessary to endure. I didn’t want my broken marital relationship to take away my joy and hope and energy and zest for life. Strength training and learning new fitness skills helped me get through a rough time in my life in a healthy way. Rather than letting myself sink in destructive habits I found lifelines not only in good relationships but in exercise.
I road my bike to commute and it was those rides that I cried and processed and reflected. I also had to unleash my anger and hurt somewhere. I already worked out regularly. Deadlift, back squat, bench press, pull ups, kettlebells. I usually worked out four times a week but during my divorce I needed to find a release for heartache more often. I had to get to the gym almost every day. Sleep was harder to come by anyway so I worked out before work at 6am.
I gave myself several goals to focus on. I wanted to increase my pull ups. So I began to build those up-lat pull downs, jump ups, band assisted pull ups. Another goal was to learn a new skill. So I found a coach to teach me olympic lifts. I needed something to completely consume my mind. These skills require complete focus. It helped me release a lot of my anger and pent up frustration. And when my mind is consumed with learning new skills, there’s no space to dwell on my hurt and anger for that hour.
Strength training is a progressive endeavor. Little by little. Making gains. We have the potential to harness the progress in strength and turn it into greater confidence and emotional endurance.
Hang in there friend!
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