Have you ever experienced sore muscles after working out? With my “on again, off again” relationship with exercise, I am well-acquainted with the incredibly tight muscles resulting from working out after a one (or even two or more) year hiatus from exercise. Those are the muscles that scream at me when I try to walk up the two little steps to my back door; it should only take a second to climb them, but they suddenly seem like Mt. Everest and I wonder if I will be able to reach the summit (of 8 inches).
Some of you are laughing right now because you know exactly what I mean. Sad, but true.
Well, I want to give you hope today. I am actually THANKFUL for sore muscles these days, and here is why…
Those sore muscles are actually your body saying “thank you for loving me enough to take care of me”.
I have been working out consistently now for about 6 months, and I am regularly amazed by how sore my body still gets. I thought I would be beyond that by now.
However, I have learned to get excited about my sore muscles because it means my body is being challenged, and I am growing stronger each and every day. Now I know when my abs grab me when I roll over in bed at night or my arms are sore just washing my hair that my workout yesterday made a difference.
While I still struggle through my workouts on a regular basis, I also recognize I can persist longer than I used to be able to. I can do more repetitions in the same amount of time, and I can use heavier weights than when I started. So I know my body is growing stronger.
I might still grumble while working out (I don’t know if I will ever enjoy burpees, but then again, does anyone?), but I will smile when I feel sore muscles.
Those tight little aches and pains are reminders that I am doing what I couldn’t do before. So I will rejoice and be proud of myself and congratulate my body for working so hard.
I hope you join me and celebrate those sore muscles. Know that being sore today means you will be stronger tomorrow. Celebrate your accomplishments and keep stretching yourself to achieve the new you. You can do it!
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