Navigating change, overcoming injury & real longevity practices
Today I wanted to talk a little about navigating changes in your life, changes in your body, changes in your time.
An old back injury of mine flared up (of course) after the long flight and carrying luggage.
And I have to be honest, I got SUPER annoyed.
I was thinking, “I do everything right! I strength train, I stretch, I lift HEAVY weights!”
And I think I sat in the victim mindset for a little too long 😂
But I gave myself a kick up the butt and remembered that actually, having an old injury flare up can be a gift.
A chance to learn about myself and my body.
A chance to ask whether what I’m doing is actually right for me right now.
So I sat down and noted all of the physical stressors on my body: teaching hours, running, weight training sessions, reformer, barre, the random 25k steps I somehow rack up in a day (HOW???) etc.
And then I objectively started figuring out what would help.
I essentially became my own personal trainer right there- to help myself find the right balance.
Because you never have to stick to what your old self needed, or the schedule you THINK you should be doing in your head.
I had pretty structured training before this, so I had to unwind some of that and consider that actually, what worked for me before doesn’t necessarily work for me now.
And I think that’s the important bit.
Your training should serve the life and body you have now...not the one you had six months ago.
If your life has just taken a big U-turn, don’t try to put a square peg in a round hole.
Your body might not respond to the same stimulus in the same way- and that’s okay. It just means it’s time to reassess.
So, how do I turn this into something useful for you?
I think this is a great exercise:
List all of the physical stressors and movement you do in a week. Not just your “workouts”- everything that moves or loads your body. Tennis, dog walks, teaching, running around after children, pushing your granny in a wheelchair… it all counts.
Ask yourself genuinely: “How does my body feel day to day?” Not how you think it should feel. How does it actually feel?
Look for what your body is telling you. If you’re working through an injury, constantly exhausted, unusually sore, tense, or simply not recovering well, ask yourself whether the balance of your week is right for your current stage of life. And, of course, persistent or concerning symptoms are worth discussing with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Look at what might need to change. YES, we want variety in our training- strength, cardio, stability and mobility being the big ones- but we also need to respond to the ebbs and flows of life. Where could you lean a little heavier? What could you temporarily let go of?
Then implement it. Plan your week. Put those workouts, stretch classes, swims, walks or rest days in your calendar so you remove one of the hardest things about training: the constant decision-making.
Then give it some time.
I’m on week 2 of my adjusted regime and my discomfort has already significantly improved. I’m sleeping better, moving better and I’m even back at ballet class!
Now, am I fixed? Should I go and do 10x HIIT classes and compete in a Jiu Jitsu competition this weekend?
(I genuinely nearly booked a Jiu Jitsu class- what is wrong with me haha)
No 😂
The body takes time to adapt to whatever stimulus you give it.
Your nervous system takes time.
Recovery takes time.
So rather than feeling better and immediately throwing EVERYTHING back in, give your new routine a chance to do its job.
Maybe that’s four weeks. Maybe it’s six. Maybe you reassess along the way depending on what’s going on.
Moving house, losing a loved one, final exams, studying, supporting other people through difficult times, changes at work, travel, poor sleep- all of this can affect how much you have in the tank.
The best thing you can do, is adjust.
So be kind to yourself, but also be truthful with yourself about what is right for you right now.
Because THAT is where longevity lives.
Not in following the perfect programme forever.
But in learning how to adapt, so you can keep moving, training and doing the things you love for a very long time.
No square pegs in round holes 😂
Want some support on your journey to becoming fitter, healthier or pain free?
Email me on the below email address, telling what your biggest goal is right now, to receive a free email consultation:
info@bodybondonline.com