You have two voices: one that says you can't, one that says you can.
One that says you won't, one that says you will.
Overcoming the voice of Resistance is a daily feat. Resistance loves to come in the form of excuses, providing you with an unlimited number of reasons to get in the way of your goals, dreams and deepest burning desires.
"Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard or smelled. But it can be felt. We experience it as an energy field radiating from a work-in-potential. It's a repelling force. It's negative. Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work." -- Steven Pressfield
Resistance is always teaching me about the strengths within myself. Even if it's just on the simplistic scale of deciding between going to the gym, or not.
You see, most days, I can't wait to get to my workout. It's my renewal. My energizer. My mood enhancer. This simple form of self-care and self-love makes me a better me. A better wife. A better mom.
And this day was no exception... After just coming off a day filled with meetings, phone calls and deadlines, I could NOT wait to get to the gym.
But within minutes of making my drive in that direction, exhaustion was finding its way over me.
Gosh, I'm so tired... I thought as I deeply yawned.
Traffic was heavy and I still had 35 minutes before reaching the gym, located 15 miles PAST my house. The mental chattered continued...
Maybe I should just go home... To which my other voice quickly challenged...
No, your plan was to go to gym. That's what you're going to do.
But damn, I'm tired. Maybe my body is telling me to stay home today.
Seriously, just go to the gym. It'll make you feel so much better!
Soon enough I was going to have to decide. Either, I would turn down the road heading home, or continue heading to the gym.
Resistance got louder.
Just go home.
It's been a long day.
Work out tomorrow a little harder instead.
As I neared my road, I caught myself slowing down...
Just turn. Seriously go home.
Surprising myself, I kept my foot on the gas and passed the road, continuing to the gym.
Resistance continued.
You could just turn around up here...
Or maybe just pull in here and get groceries. You do need groceries.
I kept driving... getting that much closer to my destination.
Well, even if you just workout for a half hour. Maybe don't do sprints today. Don't push it. Just make it an easy workout.
I pulled in the parking lot and my husband called, "Hey babe. Where you at?"
"Hi, I just got to the gym... I'm sooo tired. I think I could take a nap right here in the parking lot. Do you think anyone would notice?" I said half-joking.
He laughs, "Well, you made it that far. Might as well go in and get it done."
We said our 'love yous' and hung up.
I grabbed my stuff, got out of the car and started to make my walk-in.
Within seconds, instant energy came over me.
I wasn't tired. Not even in the slightest.
Boom. Sorry, Resistance... Gameover.
I walked in the gym, feeling light, ready to own my workout.
What I learned in this instance will forever change my future conversations... Resistance is more than just a thought. It's a feeling. Resistance took on a physical layer by "making me" feel drowsy, uninspired and unmotivated.
But the moment, I stepped out of the car, Resistance lost. And that voice filled with "can'ts", "won'ts" and "maybe tomorrow" disappeared INSTANTLY.
That defeat created a 180 degree change. Magically, I took back over my thoughts... Back to owning my goals and ready and willing to make them a reality. Not only did I gift myself an awesome workout and a beautiful mind-shift, but the ripple effect of feeling ALIVE afterwards.
As I got home and parked my car in the driveway, my kiddo came running out of the house to greet me giggling and yelling, "Chase me, mama, chase me!"
Feeling alive and energized, I laughed and said, "Here I come. Better run... Mama is feeling fast!"
Recognize the resistance in your life on both a small and large scale. How is that persistent voice creating physical symptoms in your life? How is it trying to derail you from your goals?
You have the power to defeat it. The power to shut that shit down. Everyday in every way simply by saying, "I can. And I will."
Tonya Holcomb challenges and empowers woman to get real about their health. Far beyond the walls of weight-loss, she focuses on REAL prevention that starts with REAL self-love, REAL food and REAL healing from within. Follow Tonya on Facebook and Instagram. LOVE YOURSELF FIERCELY