I went swimming for the first time in a couple of weeks. After 12 laps, I thought I was going to fall over. I was frustrated because prior to that, I was completing 16 laps.
Husband noticed my frustration. He then explained it this way. "When you did the 16 laps, you would do two laps and then rest. This time, you did four laps and then you would rest. That is a huge difference. It means your endurance is increasing."
That was huge. I was looking at the 12 laps as a failure rather than an accomplishment. I think we all do that to some extent. We look for perfection or progression each time we work out. We get frustrated and start beating ourselves up with negative self talk when there is a blip in the program, when in reality, there will be peaks and valleys. The bottom line is that we have to change our self talk to focus on the positive and stop the negative, self defeating thoughts.
So, my workout update is that I did 12 laps which consisted of three sets of four laps, instead of doing sets of two laps.
And I am very proud of that!
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2 comments:
Wow! Go you! I fall into this trap with lifting weights too. Thanks for the reminder that endurance and strength are just as important!
that is great! increasing your endurance is a positive step! and sometimes we do have to take a step back and look at it different way. good that husband was there to help you do so.
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