Quiet burn

I’ve come to welcome the ache of muscles rebuilding after a workout.

It’s obviously not enjoyable in itself but it reminds me that I’m getting stronger. That I’m doing the work I need to do to regain my fitness. And it reminds me that I need to care for myself and give my body the sleep, food and massage.

I know from previous strength training blocks that DOMS is worse when you start a new programme that challenges you in different ways.

After a couple of weeks on a programme, I generally find that I’m not as sore afterwards, even if I’ve been increasing my weights or reps week on week. It makes sense – going from nothing to something new is always going to impact the body harder than doing a familiar thing a little harder than last time.

This is one reason why it’s good to change up your programme to keep challenging yourself.

And of course the same applies to life and work – challenging ourselves to do something new stresses us more than repeating the same thing over and over.

I can feel the strain of doing new things in my mind as well as my muscles right now. My emotions are a bit stronger, my patience a bit shorter and I feel more tired.

And just like muscles, these signs remind me to take care of myself, give myself the mental relaxation and physical care I need.

And they remind me that, in my life as well as my fitness, I am growing stronger.