How Do You React When Things Get Tough?
As soon as I heard the sentence “your wrist is broken” come out of my doctor’s mouth, I couldn’t stop laughing. This was ridiculous. 2018 had to be playing tricks on me. With Hashimoto’s coming to light in May, finding out my body wasn’t producing hormones in July, and now this??? This had to be some big joke. But nope – that’s life. Life likes to throw obstacles in our paths. Life isn’t perfect or pretty. Those speed bumps and challenges will always be there. When we overcome one, it may take a few weeks, months, or years, but another one WILL shove its way into our path. It’s inevitable, and it’s completely out of our control.
What we do have control over is HOW we respond to those situations. I could have given up. I could’ve just sat on the couch day after day, barking, crying, watching chick flicks on Netflix, working on my client check-ins, etc. (and don’t get me wrong, I absolutely DID have a lot of those days). But I didn’t let that become my new normal.
One of my clients put it beautifully – instead of focusing on what I COULDN’T do, I decided to focus on what I COULD do. So, I got my butt up and branched out and tried new things. I started a hypertrophy bodybuilding program and modified it so I could do it with a cast on. I did strongman workouts with yolk carries and sled drags. I did step-ups with a barbell on my back. I hiked with a weighted pack. I biked. I ran. I moved. I didn’t particularly find my new passion while doing any of those things, but I kept after it because it made me a better version of myself – and I did feel better after doing those things. I felt accomplished. It gives me a sense of purpose.
Our mindset and attitudes, and our perception of situations are powerful tools. Don’t underestimate them. You know the incredibly annoying saying “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? That honestly couldn’t be truer.
So, if you have a bad week – if you overeat or fall off your macros, if you get injured, if you get sick or find out you have an illness, if you get in a fight or break up with someone, if you have a s***** week at work, etc., know first, that it's OK to be upset. It's OK to grieve, to rage, to be angry. But, instead of giving up and saying f*** it, try and change how you're looking at that situation. Find a silver lining. Re-frame it. Reflect on it. See how you can learn and grow from it. That’s what will make you a better, stronger person.
Written By: Megan, Nutrition Coach