Focusing On What You Can Do?

Focusing On What You Can Do?

From a training point of view the start of my year sucked. My wrist is still on the mend (who knows for how long) and then right at the start of the year I hurt my back, rested it (not for long enough) and hurt it again to a point where on Monday morning last week I could hardly put a sock on. I was just about ready to write off my week training wise and if it wasn't for a conversation with someone convincing me not to and to effectively focus on what I could do I would have. It really highlighted two things to me…

1. The impact of great coaches

The reality is, if it wasn't for a conversation with one of the coaches, I wouldn't have gone to the gym on Wednesday morning, which was probably the first time I could have gone to the gym and done something. I was very prepared to set my alarm but at 'feels like -8' I probably would have stayed in bed rather than gone out to the garage to do some form of exercise. There are lots of good coaches, who are great on the gym floor. What makes a great CrossFit Coach (or PT/ Nutritionist for that matter) are the ones who really care about the community and getting people into the gym, no matter what, for the long term. I'm lucky I have coaches and colleagues like that.

2. The impact of focusing on what you can do rather than what you can't

It's really easy, especially when you are injured, to dwell on the things that you can't do. This is especially true if it's the things you love you can't do or the things that are pushing you towards your goals. There is always something that is going to keep you on track, even if the route gets a little bumpy or you have to take a slightly different route. Doubling down on Physio exercises, increase your mobility, accessory exercises, improving core strength, etc, it obviously depends on the injury. And maybe it's difficult, maybe it's a micro goal that you need to focus on, it could be as simple as doing everything you can to get healthy, it could be dialling in nutrition or sleep habits, it could be getting jacked arms… honestly it could be anything, as long as it gets you motivated to keep moving forward. It's funny because I would always say that to people but at a point last week where I really doubted myself I forgot it. That's easy to do to.

You know what, it sucks being injured but with good people around and a decent, flexible, attitude, it doesn't have to derail you. This week I went Swimming first thing Monday morning, a bit worried about how my back would react, but it was awesome, exactly what I needed, when I needed it!

Andy