Why Are You Working Out?
Knowing your why before the dis-empowering voice chimes in
I started working out again two weeks before the end of the 2025. I created a 3 week “on”/1 week “off” plan, with an intention of still moving my body during the “off” week.
Anyone who works out knows that soreness comes with the territory. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS let me know that my muscles were indeed working again. But when I looked in the mirror during the next couple of weeks, nothing seemed to have changed. My stomach still protruded, prompting my mind to start up with her nonsense again.
Now, I understand that my body isn’t going to change in a week. Even the nonsensical voice knows that. Yet, when I thought about it, I knew there was a deeper question that I needed clarity on.
Why am I working out?
Is it to ensure my body has mobility and strength as I age? Is it to lose weight? Is it to gain muscle and be stronger? Is it a mix of them all?
My goal isn’t to have a flat belly. I don’t actually want a flat belly. But I do want all three benefits: mobility, strength, and fat loss. The catch is to not let the fat loss become all-consuming. I’m no longer interested in looking at my body and praising it for its lack of fat.
I want to be able to hold my 2-year-old niece without my arm fatiguing after a couple of minutes. I want a strong core so that I can stay upright and mobile. I want to squat and jump and run around without getting winded after 30 seconds.
All of these things matter more to me than if my stomach has lost some fat.
All of these things must remain at top of mind when the voice inevitability speaks up again.
All of these things are why I want move my body every day.
Sometimes, it’s not enough to simply tell the voice to be quiet. Sometimes, you need to hear what it’s saying to understand what’s actually important to you.
When looking at the three practices from the last post (see below), practicing non-judgment also looks like becoming curious without attaching the story. It’s noticing when a thought rises and tells you something you know isn’t true but feel a truth in it.
Practice: Notice - What is your mind telling you? What about it made you want to believe it?
Practice: Non-judgment - Drop the story. - I know it’s not all true, but which parts are calling me toward them to explore them further?
Ask: What do I desire that is causing the voice to start up this time? Why am I doing this [self-growth] activity?
Practice: Shift - Replace it with something else. - Once you’re clear, thank the voice for its input and reaffirm the story that is true.
