As you probably already know…I’ve started a strength training program…which
means…I eat, breathe and sleep strength training…literally…from all I’ve read…and that would be a lot…the results of working out with weights come in two phases…
Phase one…the workout…stressing the muscles…causes tiny tears…breaks down the muscle tissue…so to speak…interestingly…although it is a vital part of the process…this isn’t the phase that actually makes you stronger…
So…if the actual lifting of the weight doesn’t make you stronger…what does…
Ahhh…that would be phase two…the critical step…rest…you see…it’s that day or two of rest in between sessions…that allows the muscle tissue to regenerate…and…you guessed it…become stronger…
So as counterintuitive as it feels…when I’m chomping at the bits to get even faster results…and hit the gym again…the day after a great workout…is not the time to push it…it’s the day to get plenty of sleep…stay active but not lifting weights…eat well…and give the muscles time to do what they need to do…repair themselves…
Bertha…is proud of me for learning this lesson…and taking my rest days…but…she has related it to my life as a whole…reminding me…it isn’t a crisis that makes me strong…it is what I do between crises…that actually makes me stronger and able to handle the next stress when it comes up…
That’s why she says the practices that I do…reading inspirational books…prayer…meditation…contemplation…saying the forgiveness prayer…Reiki…laughing…spending time with loved ones…enjoying life…are all so important…they actually regenerate my life…giving me the strength to handle the next thing that comes up…
I guess…I’d never thought about it in just that way…I always thought it was the crisis that made me stronger…not the other way around…
Hmmm…something to contemplate…on my day of rest…
Jane
True dat…sista!
Hello, Nancy. I do believe it goes right in line with your message. Thanks for visiting and commenting!