How Much Pain Does It Take to Change

There is a great saying I’ve heard, though I can’t take credit for coming up with the saying, it always redirects my focus during those times when I am feeling unmotivated to workout. I first heard this from Chris Brady, he was talking about life changes, but I think this also applies perfectly to getting in shape.

“When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain involved in making a change then you’re ready to make a change in your life.”

When I’m feeling unmotivated this little saying always comes to mind and forces me to think back to why I decided to get in shape, maintain my health, or take on a new physical challenge. I know at that moment why I continue to get up off the couch each day and workout.

Let’s admit that working out, eating right, and changing your life can be challenging and at times there is pain involved. However at some crossing point the pain involved in staying the same becomes too great to endure. It’s here that I am faced with a decision.

I could elect to stay the same by not working out and eating healthy and here is the pain I may experience or avoid:

• I will not achieve the fitness goals I promised to myself.
• I will feel disappoint from giving up on my workout.
• I will not have a strong healthy body that allows me to do the activities I enjoy.
• I may have future injuries because my body is not strong.
• I may experience future illness or disease from neglecting my health.
• My self image may decrease.
• The time I was going to spend working out can now be focused on other areas of my life.
• I don’t have to think about or worry about what I eat.
• I don’t have to spend money on gym memberships, running shoes, or other workout gear.
• I won’t get to experience the fun that come from my workouts.
• I may have more stress.
• I will or may _________________. (fill in the blank for yourself)

If I do decide to workout, eat healthy, and change my life and here is the pain I may experience or avoid:

• I will feel proud of myself for sticking with my fitness plan and achieving my goal.
• My body will be healthy and strong.
• I may be able to avoid future disease and health problems.
• I may have more confidence.
• I might get injured.
• I have to spend time each day working out and this takes away from other activities in my life.
• I feel less stress.
• I have to plan my workouts and constantly monitor what I eat.
• My workouts are an outlet for my stress.
• Workout and exercise can hurt as I push my body past current limits.
• I will or may _________________. (fill in the blank for yourself)

So you have to decide now what is truly more painful, “changing or staying the same”. You can’t have a great body and healthy lifestyle for nothing but I know people will continue to try. In our desire to avoid pain, we will try dozens of fitness fads and tricks that simply don’t work. Ultimately, I hope you’ll decide that the pain of “staying the same” is too much and you’ll continue on the journey of making healthy changes in your life.

Related posts:

1. Ways to Change Your Workout Routine in the Gym
2. You Hold the Power to Change Your Life
3. No Pain No Gain: Fitness Myth or Ultimate Fitness Truth?
4. 5 Ways That Exercise Lowers Stress
5. How to Stay Cool When Exercising in the Hot Outdoors