Yesterday, I climbed out of my warm, snuggly bed at 5:35 a.m. for hot yoga. From the minute my feet hit the cold, hard wood to the time I climbed into my car, I was dreaming of that steamy, 97-degree room.
When I arrived at the studio, though, I learned that the 6 a.m. class had been canceled. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I decided to go to the gym since I was already up and at 'em. When I got there, I didn't have a plan and was a little bummed about the missed class. I wasn't really in the mood for a hard workout, so I did something short.
As I wrapped up the workout, though, my mind began to race: was that hard enough? Was it long enough? Did it count? I'd taken it easy the day prior, knowing how hard yoga would be; now I was doubting that decision.
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Last week, I was in the gym and a friend told me that she often goes down to walk on the treadmill during her lunch break, but she ends up running sprints, because she starts to question whether walking is enough of a workout.
As someone who has often struggled with this question, I know how easily your mind can get ahead of you:
That workout wasn't long enough
You didn't push hard enough
You didn't sweat enough
You should add sprints
You should keep going
You should do more
That workout wasn't enough
You are not enough
One of my mantras for 2016 is that I will respect myself enough to set boundaries. As I wrapped up my workout Tuesday morning and began to wonder if I should throw in a few sprints, I realized that setting boundaries with myself and my body is equally as important as setting boundaries with my schedule, friends and work. So, I tried it:
I will respect myself enough to set boundaries.
I respect my mind enough to know a shorter workout is best for me, mentally.
I respect my body enough to know I am tired and a lighter workout is best for me, physically.
I respect my time enough to know this is the most I can give today.
I will respect myself enough emotionally to know that I don't need to doubt or question my workout.
I respect myself enough to know, believe and practice that I am enough. I do not need my workout to prove my worth.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14
