The Only Way to Stay in the Game

The thing about Birthdays…

They seem to just keep coming. Every year, like clockwork. It’s funny how when you are a kid you cant wait for your birthdays to come. The time feels slower and you are excited to get older. 

We all know how those tables be turnning…

The getting older excitement takes a 180 and now we are begging time to slow down so we can accomplish what we want, keep our kids young, and stay in the game as long as we can.

If you started your fitness journey when you were young, you will feel the time that your fitness level may take a dip. Maybe you notice slower recovery times or new aches and pains. It’s the cliche “well that’s what happens when you turn 30, or 40 or whichever age is currently in discussion.”

And I hear, you, it’s not like I am getting the senior discount at McDonald’s, but I did start CrossFit in my 20s. Yes the young 20s when I had no care in the world, endless time and that fast recovery turn-around time. I could beat my body up and pop up like a daisy the next day. Things don’t work like that anymore.

I do believe it is true that you will not be able to move the same way forever, however I don’t believe it is the end of your PR’s and fitness level progressions. Our bodies need different things at different times. Getting older doesn’t mean you can’t train anymore. It doesn’t mean you have stop doing the things you love. It does mean you have to be smart with your training and flexible with yourself. You have to allow yourself to only focus on what you and your body needs now, instead of what you “could do” back in the day, or what you are used to doing to get that ticket to the gains. You need to take a step back and determine how you need to train so you can keep training and serve your future body.

Shifting your mindset towards different goals of progress can help you stay motivated and proud of yourself for the work you are putting. Similar to when you have busy seasons or take a long time off. When you come back to the gym, you can’t expect everything to feel the same it did when you left. You have to have realistic expectations.

If you’re feeling frustrated with the way things are going. If you feel you are not living up the 20 year old you and it bums you out. It may be time to wipe that PR slate clean. Think about the way your training can be implemented in your life now, and how that may lead to new kinds of PR’s and expectations. We don’t need to stop striving but we do need to keep thriving! (Hehe that was was a good one 🤭)

Maybe you develop new Pr’s like: 

“I want to be able to maintain my 1 RM for another year.” Or 

“I want to learn a new sport.” Or

“ I want to be able to beat my kids in a race for another year.”

“I want to be able to sit and stand pain free”

You could develop PR”s like “Post 50 PR” Or

“Post Baby PR” Or

“Post knee surgery PR.”

etc, etc.

The reality is you are here for the long haul. Keeping at it is the only goal. It can and will look different at all points of your journey. Whatever you need to do to keep moving and keep your body feeling its best is all you need to do. More than nothing, always something. 

The only way to stay in the game is to let your fitness evolve and grow as you do.

If you need help brainstorming some new goals let me know. I’d to help you shift and recalibrate your focus to help you stay motivated and in the game!