Weighting on You

I’ve been experimenting with a 20-pound weighted vest for a couple of weeks. Recently I wore it for two 1-mile jogs. What’s interesting is I went almost as fast as a few months ago when I started running again (without the vest).

When we consciously add an encumbrance to our daily routine it can make us realize we are stronger than we think. What might be possible if we let go of the unconscious weight we have been unnecessarily carrying?

Packing It On

Resistance develops strength. When we intentionally stretch ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally we increase our capacity. I do this literally when I go to the gym. Can I add a little more weight? Can I do one more rep? Can I push myself just a little bit harder? I find that when I consistently engage in resistance workouts I am better equipped for the inevitable challenges of life.

Here are a few examples of intentionally adding weight:

Back to the vest. I wore it for most of the day, almost getting used to it. When I finally took it off, WOW! I felt like Superman!

I decided to take this to the next level. A friend of mine is roughly my same height and is close to 300 lbs. I weigh roughly 180. Today at the gym along with the 20 lb. vest I carried two 45 lb. plates around the track for a running total (well, more like walking total) of about 290.

That dude is strong! I can only imagine what it would be like to carry that weight around all day every day.

Don’t laugh at the fat man running around the track.

Tony Robbins

The Weight of the Problem

At times life throws us the unexpected and undesired situation. Let’s call this a problem. It feels heavy, at times too heavy to bear. It’s all we can focus on, all we can think about. We feel stifled, awkward, weak. Barely able to move.

The problem is not the problem.

Jack Sparrow

This could be due to the relationship to the problem. Consider the possibility that YOU (the bearer) and the PROBLEM (the weight) are separate. The problem is not you and you are not the problem. An if you really had the power to create this massive problem all by yourself, then again you are WAY stronger than you thought. Either way, you may find strength in changing your relationship to the problem.

Leave What’s Heavy (great song by the way). These may include:

  • Other people’s problems. Repeat after me, “not my circus, not my monkeys…”
  • Physical weight. What is your ideal body weight? Set a plan to get there. You can. By now surely you realize you are stronger than you think.
  • Limiting beliefs. More than anything else I believe it is our negative thoughts and emotions that drag us down. Reclaim your focus, reclaim your future. Take inventory of your regrets, fears, and “failures.” It takes so much energy to hold onto these and carry them around all day every day. What would it look like, how would it feaal, what would be possible if you LET THAT STUFF GO?

The Weighting is the Hardest Part

Hey – I know it’s not easy. I struggle with this on a daily basis. Here is a challenge for you, a one-two punch. Pick up something heavy – a weight at the gym, a box, a bag of cat litter – whatever. Carry it around with you for at least 20 minutes. As you do so, ask yourself, “What can I let go of? What can I carry less of?” And when you release the external weight, see yourself releasing the internal weight along with it. Repeat often.

You are stronger than you think. How will you use it? Choose powerfully.

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