In last week’s SSM, we talked about how to move into and beyond the pain—and why it’s so absolutely essential for growth.
This entry prompted many people to question: “Should you always move through the pain?” “Isn’t there a time when we really listen to the pain?”
That’s what makes this week’s SSM so ideally timed. (No, it wasn’t an accident. You’re right.)
This week’s Challenge Wisdom is about trusting yourself and having the Strength to stop and take a knee or perhaps a seat of some sort.
While at a glance it may seem to contradict last week’s message about moving through pain, it’s actually very much in concert with it. For this is about having the awareness, the ruthless sense to know the difference between wanting to stop and needing to stop.
When you’re pushing the limits your mind will be the first to send a limiting message, to exaggerate the hurt, to entice you to slow it down or take a break. If you’ve been training hard or pushing it, you might start justifying taking it easy. The first clue here is the inner message, “because I deserve it.”
“Because I deserve it,” is common trap in Transformation Challenges too. You’ve been making some strides, eating right and training strong. Just as you’re feeling good about your progress out pops the “because I deserve it” excuse. Maybe you’re out with friends or in a social environment of some sort, let this one loose and you’ll regret it.
When I Took a Knee
In my first post in this series, 10 Lessons in Success I Learned from the Triple Bypass, I gave the vivid details of the first place I “took a knee” during this bike ride.
I was nearing the half-way point towards the end of a long, tortuous stretch of road where the pain in my ass, my left little toe, my right big toe, my left shoulder and my lower back all reached threshold at the same time. I’ve been told by many bikers that you can ride through just about anything; cramping, fatigue, dehydration but pain is the beginning to the end. It will stop the strongest riders.
And when I say “pain,” this isn’t the pain one has from pushing themselves. It’s not the burn of a biceps on the 20th rep but more the sort of pain of having something broken. It starts as an ache and grows. I could feel it reaching a threshold where I was certain that it would no longer be a decision if I went forward. Where the pain would literally stop me in my tracks.
Wisely, I stopped, glancing left as a rider in his 60’s moved swiftly by—probably in a dance with his own pain.
I’d already pushed myself physically and was on edge, I had repeatedly tested my mental resolve so I was pretty confident that this wasn’t some wimpy move. Like holding my hand under hot running water there’s a point where it pulls itself out, even if you try to stay.
That’s the threshold and I’d reached it.
I’d been tolerating the increasing pains long enough and had the smarts to realize that allowing them to build was not courageous but bullheaded ego. Just stopping for 30-60 seconds completely changed my outlook and energy; eased my pain and revived my spirit.
Transformation Translation
During any prolonged challenge hold the ever present thought that, “Discretion is the better part of valor.” Know it is not a victory to perish in noble attempt but rather to reach your destination intact. And know when to take a knee…
During a Transformation challenge there will be opportunities to take a knee, when the wise move is to do something different, to take a breath and collect yourself.
This may mean a day off when you’re plan says “on,” or whenever rest is needed over more activity. It could be having a free meal or even a free moment. This is where YOU have to be in charge and attune to your needs.
It’s different for each of us but the most important thing to remember is while you have a plan and are pursuing your goals, you are in charge. It’s your body and life and only you can make the right call for you in the moment.
Here’s to your Strength to Take a Knee Next Time You’re beyond the edge…
Until Next Week,
Stay Strong,
Shawn
Follow Me: /Twitter/shawn_phillips
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| Meet The Author, Shawn | |
 | Known as "The Fitness Philosopher," for his deep, clear approach to the cutting through the fitness conundrum, Shawn is a 20+ year veteran in the field of Lifestyle Fitness and Peak Performance. Author of several best-selling book, with one of the most photographed physiques in history, Shawn, with his brother, Bill Phillips (Body for LIFE) catapulted EAS sports nutrition into the world leader and Muscle Media magazine and the documentary movie, Body of Work. He created the first computerized training system in PowerBuilding and the popular Variable Split System for Muscle Mass. Now, in his 40's, a husband and father of two young children, Shawn is passionate about helping busy, high-achieving "men in the middle" enjoy vibrant, energized, amazing, Full Strength lives! He has recently created the World’s 1st and only true premium nutrition shake for men, Full Strength — clinically proven to build muscle, burn fat and boost energy. His most recent book, Strength for LIFE is the "how to" guide to a Lifestyle of Fitness Freedom. |
24. August 2009 at 2:03 pm
“Because I deserve it…” one of the common traps…
[**** WINNER ****] Full Strength Inner circle T-shirt coming!
24. August 2009 at 2:05 pm
“Because I just can’t.”- Response to the t-shirt question.
******* WINNER ********** of Full Strength Inner Circle T-shirt
24. August 2009 at 2:06 pm
Is this where to respond for the tee? “Because I deserve it”
********** WINNER ***************
24. August 2009 at 2:10 pm
because i deserve it!
******* WINNER *********
EdibleGardens.com Looks very cool! Nice work!
24. August 2009 at 2:10 pm
Good article. “deserve it” are the two words after “Because I…” that are a common trap of transformation challenges.
********* WINNER ***************
Of the FULL Strength Inner Circle T-Shirt!
24. August 2009 at 2:22 pm
“deserve it” is the answer Shawn.
Thanks,
Jose Sanchez
******* WINNER ***********
Thanks Jose!
24. August 2009 at 2:24 pm
“deserve it”
****** WINNER *********
Of the FULL STRENGTH Inner Circle T-shirt!!!
24. August 2009 at 2:40 pm
” because I… deserve it!”
stellar lesson today: taking a knee! attunement & discernment! and
many thx!
love the unveiling of “because i deserve it” thought
****** WINNER ************
Full Strength Inner Circle T-Shirt COMING!!! THanks…
24. August 2009 at 2:52 pm
Because I deserve it
******** WINNER **************
Of the Full Strength T-Shirt!
24. August 2009 at 2:55 pm
Deserve it!
******** WINNER ************
24. August 2009 at 3:16 pm
…..deserve it.
********* WINNER *************
24. August 2009 at 3:22 pm
Deserve it
is the answer to your fill in question
************* WINNER ***************
Of the FULL STRENGTH T-shirt!
24. August 2009 at 3:25 pm
Not sure if all the T-shirts are gone, but the two missing words are Because I “Deserve It”!
Tim sends.
********* WINNER ***********
24. August 2009 at 3:28 pm
Hmm, I will try “Because I JUST CAN’T”
24. August 2009 at 4:08 pm
deserve it!
24. August 2009 at 4:12 pm
Shawn, the answer to the quizz “deserve it”
24. August 2009 at 4:13 pm
One of the common misperceptions of those trying to win a Fitness Challenge is their belief that “I Deserve It”.
In fact, we should all understand that the challenge starts from within and then manifests itself into a Physique Transformation thereafter.
24. August 2009 at 4:15 pm
Answer to question…”deserve it”. Nice shirt!
24. August 2009 at 4:27 pm
QUESTION: One of the most common “traps” for people in Transformation Challenges is “Because I _______?”
ANSWER: “Because I deserve it”
24. August 2009 at 4:28 pm
One of the most common “traps” for people in Transformation Challenges is “Because I _______?” “don’t plan”
24. August 2009 at 4:36 pm
“Because I deserve it!”
24. August 2009 at 4:45 pm
Beacuase I deserve it!
24. August 2009 at 4:54 pm
The answer is “deserve it”
24. August 2009 at 5:17 pm
deserve it
24. August 2009 at 5:22 pm
“Because I deserve it”.
That’s the essence of it all right there. Thanks for helping me see it.