It’s Not Supposed to be Easy

It was a humid June morning in Boston, and we were on our way to a 6am HITT class. It had been a long week of travel and mental stimulation as me and my colleague were on business for a conference. Although we were tired, we knew we would not regret getting a workout in before a long day of talking with fellow conference goers, giving demos, and listening to presentations. The 6am class was packed with fellow sweat seekers, and everyone grabbed their weights and mats. As the class began, the music uplifted us, and the instructor ran us through our paces – movement after movement as our heart rates increased and muscles burned. Right when it would have been the opportune time to take it easy, the instructor chimed in when we needed it most. “It’s supposed to be hard!” she encouraged. That is when it clicked. 

Throughout our lives we face challenges – work, families, finances, mental and physical health stresses, and so much more. With so much difficulty and stress it can be easy to take the comforting option rather than the challenging one. Skipping intervals or going easy when the workout gets tough, or skipping the workout completely is the most appealing choice – but this is when it matters most to commit to yourself. Embracing challenges not only sharpens mental abilities but also increases resiliency and the ability to adapt in all aspects of life. 

A recent Harvard study found that doing new, challenging things such as exercise or learning a new skill not only promotes brain growth but also improves memory and problem-solving cognitive functions. Furthermore, evidence has shown that when you do something you do not want to do, it triggers the part of the brain called the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), making it grow in size, as well as give you the tenacity to carry out goals and slow the effects of aging mentally. This helps you tackle not just fitness goals but also gives you the ability to take a deep breath and handle other life stresses with more resiliency and grace.  

While we are not able to help you with your life stresses, we do want to help give you some tools that will help you hold yourself accountable, even when you do not want to, and work that aMCC. Here are a few tools we use when we do not want to workout. 

1. Workout Of the Day
   Not feeling motivated or do not know what to do for a workout? Use the Concept2 ErgData app and do the preprogrammed Workout of the Day (WOD). All you have to do is connect ErgData to your Concept2 Erg, tap the WOD, and start your workout! Check out the leaderboard to see how you stack up against others doing the same workout worldwide.
2. Concept2 Challenges and Million Meter Clubs 
   It is hard to skip a workout when you know you have a goal to reach. Join the Million Meter Club or contribute meters for one of Concept2’s many challenges throughout the year.
3. Power in Numbers 
   Going it alone can be tough, but when you know you are being counted on to show up, it makes it that much easier to follow through. Jump on the Real Time Loop on the Concept2 ErgData app or join a team or create an affiliate in the online logbook. Power in numbers makes doing hard things much easier. 

So, the next time you are struggling to start or wanting to bail mid-workout, remember it is supposed to get tough sometimes. We hope these tools and information motivate you to push through those hard moments and to do the things you do not want to do – for a better body and mind inside and out.